Spreading Christmas Cheer at Seattle Children’s

Santa and Baby - CopyA hospital bed is not where most children wish to spend the holidays. They may worry Santa won’t be able to find them on Christmas. Fortunately, Seattle Children’s is Santa’s final – and favorite – stop along his Christmas route! Come Christmas morning, with his trusty elves in toe, he makes his way through the hospital to visit every single patient and their families.

Spending Christmas at Seattle Children’s

Even though 10-month-old Luella Walkup might be too young to know who Santa is, her mother, Rosemary sure does. For her, he’s a welcome sight. Born with a cleft lip and palate, kidney disease, heart disease and other anomalies, Luella has been in and out of Seattle Children’s for surgeries and appointments since she was born. This year, their family knew they’d have to spend Christmas at Seattle Children’s.

Santa with Ella

“We told our family that Luella wouldn’t be able to make it home for Christmas. That just meant we needed to bring Christmas to her,” said Walkup.

And what better way to bring a little Christmas cheer to her, than with a visit from Santa himself. With a stuffed animal in hand and a blanket for little Luella, Santa helped wish the Walkup family a very merry Christmas.

“It’s really hard to be away from family and spend Christmas in the hospital,” said Walkup. “Seeing Santa definitely brightened our day. We’re just so thankful for our little miracle baby.”

Happy Holidays!

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