Little Penelope danced to the sounds of the St. John’s School Choir singing Christmas carols on The Auxiliary Bridge as her mom watched waiting for Santa’s arrival. Penelope is a patient in Texas Children’s Cancer Center and spent her day receiving chemotherapy, but at that moment, her mom was filled with joy as she watched her little girl enjoying a little holiday cheer.
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Randy Wright took Penelope by the hand and asked her to close her little eyes and make a holiday wish. As she did this, the sparkling lights on the Christmas décor turned on and in walked who else, but Santa and Mrs. Clause. “Ho ho ho” Santa said as Penelope and the other little children erupted in cheer. Penelope ran right up to Santa and gave him a great big hug. She was first in line to tell him her holiday wish list followed by dozens of other patients excited to meet the hero of the holidays.
That was just the beginning of the holiday cheer. Throughout the season, the patients received special visits from Santa and his little helpers. There was the visit from the Houston Ballet Nutcracker performers, the Ukulele club’s caroling through the halls and a virtual visit from the North Pole as patients skyped with Jolly St. Nick.
Watch the short video above and browse the photo gallery to see some highlights of the holiday cheer.
