Children's hospital staff put on a spectacular Holly Troll-y Christmas stage performance for kiddos and their families who have dealt with cancer or blood disorders.
Children’s hospital staff put on a spectacular Holly Troll-y Christmas stage performance for kiddos and their families who have dealt with cancer or blood disorders.
Child Life specialist Rhys VanDemark poses for a picture with 7-year-old Lakhshar Mitra at the annual holiday party for pediatric hematology and oncology patients and family. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Bekah Skrycki, 5, puts bacon on her macaroni and cheese during the holiday party at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Abraham Fayia, 2, tries on his Troll hat with his mother, Amber Bacon. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Alissa Jackson and her brother Eli visit with Santa and tell him what they would like for Christmas. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Beth Kurt, MD, plays Princess Poppy from the movie Trolls during the annual play Helen DeVos Children's Hospital staff put on for hematology and oncology patients. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Child Life specialist Rhys VanDemark puts on makeup in the mirror before he goes on stage. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
David Dickens, MD, performs on stage during the annual Christmas play. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Bekah Skrycki, 5, watches the play. Bekah is being treated for acute myeloid leukemia. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Ulrich Duffner, MD, visits with his patients after the play. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Deanna Mitchell, MD, performs on stage during the annual Christmas play. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
James Fahner, MD, playing a sugar plum fairy, throws confetti out to the crowd during the play. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Eli Jackson, 6, laughs as he rides the carousel. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Lilly Vanden Bosch, 12, poses for a photo with Dr. Duffner after the play. Lilly was diagnosed with aplastic anemia at age 7, a rare autoimmune disease. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Lilly Loding, 5, watches the play. Lilly is being treated for Langerhans cell histiocytosis. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Doctors, nurses and other clinical staff all dressed as Trolls for the annual Christmas play. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Cadia Wiseman, 10, visits with staff after the play. Cadia is being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Lily Goodwin, 9, takes a photo of Dr. Duffner after the play. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Julie Steinbrecher, RN, performs on stage during the annual Christmas play. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
"I think this is truly 'therapy' for our entire team of caregivers," said Dr. Fahner, division chief for pediatric hematology and oncology. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Sarah Smith, Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital teacher and school liaison, narrates the annual Christmas play. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Child Life specialist Rhys VanDemark poses for a picture with Cadia Wiseman. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
"Seeing our precious kids and devoted families enjoying so much holiday cheer is a real comfort and joy to our staff," Dr. Fahner said. "It is an inspiration for all of us." (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
When families spend lengths of time at the hospital, events like this can really bring a sense of relief and normalcy, especially during the holidays.
This year’s theme was Trolls with an original rendition of a play entitled “A Holly Troll-y Christmas.”
Doctors, nurses and other clinical staff all dressed as Trolls and performed a special play for children and their families.
“This is our 26th annual production—an amazing tradition of bringing our kids and families together, away from the stress and anxiety of the clinic and hospital, for a night of true holiday magic,” said James Fahner, MD, division chief for pediatric hematology and oncology.
The play is based on the popular animated film “Trolls” featuring some great Justin Timberlake songs.
Families enjoyed seeing their doctors and nurses on stage in what many said was an event to remember. In addition to the amazing performance, there were free carousel rides for all, a special planetarium show, photos with Santa and a Troll hair-making activity.
“We come back every year,” said Lajoy Frierson, whose daughter Asia lost her battle with cancer in 2013. “We collect toys and donate them back to the hematology and oncology division every year. The hospital was our second home and coming back is like seeing family. It really gives me a good feeling, and I know my daughter Asia loved everyone here.”
Seventeen-year-old Benjamin Peterson, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2015, said he comes back every year to spend time with the doctors and clinical staff outside the hospital setting. This year the event was hosted at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
“It’s a lot of fun getting to see everyone in a different setting,” said Benjamin. “I can tell they really enjoy themselves during the play and it makes us all laugh and have a great time.”
And Dr. Fahner agrees.
“I think this is truly ‘therapy’ for our entire team of caregivers,” Dr. Fahner said. “Seeing our precious kids and devoted families enjoying so much holiday cheer is a real comfort and joy to our staff. It is an inspiration for all of us.”
Read more about the hematology and oncology program at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and check out their wish list for kids spending time at the hospital this holiday season.
I think this is a very vital and important celebration of family and hospital family relations….when a patient is going through treatments (as I also did 21 years ago having stage 3 breast cancer) everything around you that lightens your heart is so meaningful and necessary to strive for recovery!! Thank you for continuing this event!! Pam
I think this is a very vital and important celebration of family and hospital family relations….when a patient is going through treatments (as I also did 21 years ago having stage 3 breast cancer) everything around you that lightens your heart is so meaningful and necessary to strive for recovery!! Thank you for continuing this event!! Pam