Teaching Empathy in Action: The Meaning Behind Pajama Day
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As you settle into the new school year—organizing supplies, marking sports schedules, and syncing calendars—there’s one date worth circling now: the second Friday of December. That’s when students, teachers, and communities across Connecticut, and the region, come together for PJ Day for the Kids, a tradition that turns wearing pajamas into a powerful symbol of support for children battling cancer.
More Than Pajamas
On the surface, PJ Day looks like a fun excuse to wear slippers to class. But it’s really about something much bigger. Since 2011, this tradition has raised millions of dollars to support kids with cancer at Connecticut Children’s. The idea is simple: students, teachers, and families give a dollar or more to wear PJs, and those donations fund research, clinical trials, and the kind of care families need when their world has been turned upside down.
A Teachable Moment
Parents often ask how to help kids understand kindness and empathy in ways that feel real. PJ Day is one of those moments. Wearing pajamas becomes a way for students to stand beside children their own age who are stuck in hospital gowns instead of heading to class. It shows them that even something small—like pulling on fleece pants for school—can make a difference when you do it together.
Wearing pajamas becomes a way for students to stand beside children their own age who are stuck in hospital gowns instead of heading to class. It shows them that even something small—like pulling on fleece pants for school—can make a difference when you do it together.
Ana's Story
This year, students will be standing with kids like Ana, a high school senior from Middletown. Last summer, just as she should have been enjoying tennis and time with friends, Ana learned she had osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She’s been through chemo, surgery, and months of physical therapy. She missed much of her junior year and leaned on art to stay grounded. Knowing that schools across the state were rallying behind her with PJ Day gave her and her family a sense of hope they badly needed.
How Parents Can Help
Ask your school. Talk to your principal or district about hosting PJ Day and share our School Pitch Packet—our host toolkit helps make it simple.
Ask your workplace. Encourage your employer to join in. We provide resources for businesses and uniformed professionals like first-responders, too.
Save the date. Mark the second Friday in December on your family calendar and have a conversation with your kids about why they’re wearing pajamas—it helps them see the meaning behind the fun.
Show your support. Donate, wear your pajamas, and spread the word with photos or social media posts.
Why It Sticks
Over the years, PJ Day has grown from one small fundraiser in Coventry to a tradition embraced by nearly 700 schools and countless businesses. Families, teachers, and local leaders keep showing up because they see what it does: it brings communities together and reminds children facing cancer that they aren’t fighting alone.
So while you’re setting routines and filling backpacks, add one more note to the school year plan: December’s PJ Day. One day of pajamas, one huge message of love and support.
