Superheroes Surprise Young Patients At Inova Children’s Hospital With A Special Visit

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue superheroes paid a special visit to Inova Children’s Hospital in Falls Church.
“Good to hop up?” Loren Jewell asked her coworkers as she checked her rappelling gear.

On Tuesday, Jewell donned a cape instead of turnouts to become Supergirl. She’s a member of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, and she was a huge support to the young patients.

Battalion Chief Matt Burns was right next to her, dressed in his own elaborate outfit.

Burns smiled as he said, “Captain America by night, my alter ego.”

“The whole reason firefighters become firefighters is to do something for their community and the kids are always the ones closest to our heart and this is best about,” he told 7News Reporter Victoria Sanchez.

The heroes entered while other members of the technical rescue team manned the ropes. Supergirl, Captain America, Superman, and Spiderman waved to the children and even played games with them on the glass with dry-erase markers.

“The kids were thrilled when they got to look out their windows and see superheroes coming to say hi. During COVID they haven’t gotten any special visitors inside,” said Jamie Gentille, director of Child Life Services at Inova.

Firefighter Jewell understands the importance of such visits.

“When I was 14 years old, I had bone cancer, childhood cancer and I treated for my cancer here in this hospital,” she explained. “And I’ve been in remission now for almost 17 years. I’ve been on the other side of the glass, so to be able to be on this side of the glass today and connect with them and just show them that they’re not alone and we’re here.”

As per Wjla, Fairfax County Technical Rescue firefighters said they want to make the superhero visit an annual event.

7 News’ Victoria Sanchez contributed to this report.