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Brighten the Holidays for Our Patients

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Patient KenLeigh engaging with a therapy dog

Give Kids and Their Families a Reason to Believe

Children who must spend their holidays in the hospital deserve a reason to believe — in first steps, giggles, high fives and hugs.

Your generosity provides hope and healing to ill and injured children by funding exceptional, compassionate care and pediatric research that leads to new treatments and cures.

A young female patient sitting in a bed decorates a gingerbread house art project

 

Lift Spirits and Spread Cheer

Together, we bring the magic of the season to our patients through festive events and special moments of care.
Three ballerinas posing with a therapy dog
Healing Garden at night decorated with festive holiday lights
Musician performing in the Costco Wholesale Atrium near a decorated Christmas tree
An electric menorah alongside several chocolate gold coins
Several Hospital staff members posing next to shelves of toys in Dr. Bear's Toy Shoppe
An up close look at a decorative arts-and-craft box created by a patient
Winter Wonderland holiday gift boxes
A young female patient choosing a miniature Christmas tree
A hospital staff member dressed in illuminated wings at night in the Healing Garden
  • Holiday arts, crafts and games

  • Heartwarming surprises and events

  • Winter wonderland celebrations

  • Joy kits and gift deliveries

  • Bright and merry holiday décor
Give holiday joy
I knew it would be hard when Chloe had to stay in the hospital over the holidays. But the nurses decked out her room with holiday decorations. We celebrated with her twin sister and siblings on video calls, which tugged at my heart strings as a mom. Staff visited her often, dressed in costumes and silly sweaters. They did crafts, sang and made gingerbread houses. I'm so grateful they put a smile on Chloe's face and helped her come home.

– Zondria, mom to Children's National patient Chloe

 

Meet Some of Our Patients

A young female patient on crutches smiles at the camera while wearing red winter pajamas and a Santa Claus hat

Aila, 6

Aila doesn't let cerebral palsy stop her from dancing ballet, practicing violin or playing basketball, thanks to world-class care. In Colombian tradition, she loves lighting candles with her family on la Noche de Velitas to start the holidays with a glimmer of hope.

A young female patient on crutches smiles at the camera while wearing red winter pajamas and a Santa Claus hat
An infant patient in a red and white striped onesie lies on a blanket featuring blue snowflakes

Bailey, 6 months

Bailey spent her first six months in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and came home in time to celebrate her first holiday season. Her family looks forward to snuggling up together, wearing matching holiday pajamas and starting the new year in good health and happiness.

An infant patient in a red and white striped onesie lies on a blanket featuring blue snowflakes
A patient smiles at the camera while posing with a therapy dog

Chloe, 10

Chloe found expert treatment at Children's National for Farber disease, a rare genetic condition. She received the best gift of all, a successful bone marrow transplant from her sister. Over the holidays, she loves making s'mores and watching Home Alone with her family.

A patient smiles at the camera while posing with a therapy dog
A young patient smiles at the camera while sitting in a chair next to a monitoring device

Claire, 4

Claire and her family are thankful for her surgeon's expertise in removing her kidney tumor and for the constant support and kindness from hospital staff. Claire looks forward to a joyful new year, filled with singing and dancing. Claire dreams of either becoming a doctor or a princess.

A young patient smiles at the camera while sitting in a chair next to a monitoring device
A young patient smiles at the camera while pretending to drive a miniature car decorated with tinsel and snowflakes

David, 5

David overcame cancer with bravery, thanks to compassionate care at Children's National. Now he hopes to use his courage to become a firefighter or a doctor to help kids like him. Over the holidays, David loves spending quality time with his cousins and playing games.

A young patient smiles at the camera while pretending to drive a miniature car decorated with tinsel and snowflakes
A young patient smiles at the camera while reclining in a bed next to a gingerbread house art project

Emelia, 8

Emelia had three surgeries at Children's National to help repair her eye. Her favorite stuffed animal, Patty Cake, also receives care during checkups. She looks forward to opening presents over the holidays and one day getting a doll that wears glasses just like hers.

A young patient smiles at the camera while reclining in a bed next to a gingerbread house art project
A young patient in a wheelchair smiles at the camera accompanied by a polar bear plush toy

James, 12

James loves rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles and playing with his cats Uno and Linus. He also finds a steadfast team at Children's National for treatment for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Each year, he decorates his own tree with Eagles, Phillies and Disney Cars ornaments.

A young patient in a wheelchair smiles at the camera accompanied by a polar bear plush toy
A patient smiles at the camera while reclined in a bed and posing with a therapy dog

KenLeigh, 11

KenLeigh's top wish for the new year is to be completely cancer free. She is grateful for compassionate care from nurses, child life specialists, art therapists and facility dogs through pet therapy. KenLeigh dreams of a winter wonderland to play in the snow and drink hot cocoa.

A patient smiles at the camera while reclined in a bed and posing with a therapy dog
A young patient smiles at the camera while engaged in a watercolor painting activity

Raci, 6

Raci counts down to the holidays all year. While she waits, she loves to paint and draw. When Raci was 5, she and her father were victims of a car accident, and surgeries at Children's National saved her life against all odds. Now every day is worth celebrating for her family.

A young patient smiles at the camera while engaged in a watercolor painting activity

Thanks to our generous partners for bringing comfort and joy to our patients this holiday season!

  • CityCenterDC
  • EagleBank
  • Tuckernuck