Liam's Room Benefit Canceled Due to Rainy Forecast

Update: The Mini-Olympics and Home Run Derby planned for today at Gumbert Park has been canceled due to the inclement weather forecast.

Lisa McNamara, who co-founded Liam's Room with her husband Peter to honor the memory of their son, Liam, who passed away at the age of 16 months from a condition called Lissencephaly, said the cancellation has cost the non-profit organization thousands of dollars.

Donations would be greatly appreciated and can be made via Liam's Room's website. 

Original story posted April 3

Lisa McNamara co-founded Liam's Room with her husband Peter to honor the memory of their son, Liam, who passed away at the age of 16 months from a condition called Lissencephaly. 

A non-profit organization, Liam's Room strives to provide a unique and comforting experience for families whose children are suffering from chronic, potentially life-limiting conditions.  

Opened at Overlook Hospital on Friday, May 15, 2009, Liam's Room is an inpatient pediatric palliative care room that offers families the comforts of home by creating a space that features the amenities of a child's room.

McNamara recalled that the room where Liam stayed was "so sterile" and she knew then that she and her husband needed to do something for other families who would find themselves in similar situations.

"We're very gratified to know that we're providing something that was not available to us," she said. 

Redesigning a hospital room can cost anywhere from $150,000 to $200,000, McNamara explained, and the organization hopes to raise funds to continue its work promoting pediatric palliative care at Overlook Hospital, as well as to begin plans for another Liam’s Room at an area hospital. Another part of Liam's Room's mission is to educate doctors and staff on pediatric palliative care.

"We have sent two doctors to Harvard to become certified in pediatric palliative care and we've sent various staff to seminars and conferences," McNamara said. 

The fifth annual Liam's Room Mini-Olympics and Home Run Derby will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 22 at and will raise funds to help the organization meet its goals.

Activities include: 30-yard dash, long jump, football throw, baseball throw with radar device, lacrosse throw, soccer target goal, moon bounce, giant slide, face painting, games, concessions and much more.

McNamara said in years past several hundred people have attended the event and she is hoping for an even-better turnout this year.  

"It's a great day," she said. "It's a great outing for families. They have a lot of fun."

Anyone age 13 and older is welcome to volunteer. Assistance is needed to help with anything from face-painting to running the sporting events. Even an hour or two would be appreciated. Those interested in volunteering can sign up here .

McNamara said the Westfield community has been extremely generous and supportive. and the have offered refreshments at a discounted price. 

"We also have wonderful women in town who bake," she said. 

The event could possibly include an appearance by a NY Jets player, as has happened in previous years. 

"There are probably many more families in our area that would benefit from Liam's Room," McNamara said. "Even for children with non-life-threatening conditions, palliative care is an important part of care and can begin when they are first diagnosed."

For more information on the event or to make a donation, visit Liam's Room's website.