Nearly 1,000 designs submitted. Three finalists chosen. Thousands of votes cast.

We have our 2020 Design-A-Gown winner!

Congratulations to our Design-A-Gown winner: Tyler Cepkauskas!

Tyler is a six-year-old from Homer Glen, Illinois. He was inspired by his little sister, Emily, who has Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect. He designed his colorful gown with the words that he uses to uplift her whenever she was in the hospital.

“All these words are words I would say to her when she was sick,” Tyler continued. “I would say, ‘Emily, remember to have courage, strength, and hope. Remember you are a fighter and a survivor and most of all, remember you are loved.'”

The 2020 Design-A-Gown asked people across the country to create a Starlight Gown with a simple question in mind – what makes you happy? Three finalists were selected after nearly 1,000 unique and inspiring gown submissions.

When it came time to vote, the Starlight community chose Tyler’s as the winning design!

“The support of the community quite honestly has been such an unexpected blessing,” said Laurie, Tyler and Emily’s mom. “Many have expressed how this has been such an exciting and fun distraction from all the scary stuff going on. Tyler has received numerous emails and messages from classmates and teachers, showing their support. It’s been a lot of fun for him.”

Tyler’s design will become the newest Starlight Hospital Gown and be delivered to seriously ill kids at children’s hospitals and healthcare facilities across the US. We’re also thrilled to announce that in addition to Tyler’s winning gown, the gowns of the other two finalists – Hannah and Melissa – will also be produced.

Watch Tyler’s reaction finding out he won the 2020 Design-A-Gown contest!

https://youtu.be/TzrCgT9kZGw

The Power of Starlight Gowns

For a seriously ill kid, the transition from their clothes to a hospital gown is one of the highest stress moments in their hospital journey.

Starlight Gowns help kids feel less exposed and embarrassed by providing a comfortable, high-quality, and brightly-colored alternative!

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