Special masks makes radiation therapy less intimidating for children

For kids like 5-year-old Hayden, radiation therapy can be scary. But thanks to special masks made by the Maryland Proton Treatment Center, it's become a little less intimidating. Andrea Parker is one of the radiation therapists that paints the mask during breaks, which are used to keep patients in place during treatment. She said painting the masks has become a fun way to make them less scary. "We get to know these patients for five to six weeks. They’re here for the ups, the downs, and it’s a good way for us to have a connection with them," Parker said. "They're so thankful, and it's not about the cancer treatment. It becomes more about them and the masks and their journey. It really does warm your heart to kind of see how excited they get."