Kellen Nykamp, 3, watches Santa's helpers wrap his presents for his family during the Sib's Secret Shopping Studio in the Balk Café. Kellen is being treated for neuroblastoma. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Bekah Skrycki, 5, shops for presents for her family. Bekah is being treated for acute myeloid leukemia. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Lily Goodwin, 9, laughs with friends while decorating cookies. Lily is being treated for relapse acute myeloid leukemia. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Helen DeVos Children's Hospital's Pediatric Oncology Resource Team hosts the Sib's Secret Shopping Studio every year. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
PORT board member and lead volunteer, Christina Rosloniec, poses for a photo. Rosloniec did all the decorations for the event. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Alaysia Johns, 5, paints a picture with her hands. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Bekah Skrycki, 5, hugs her friend Lily Goodwin, 9, during the event at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Nathan Reitman, 4, waits for his presents for his family to be wrapped. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Volunteers help kids choose presents for their families and assist in gift wrapping. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Cadia Wiseman, 10, decorates cookies. Cadia is being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Jontay Phillips, 2, decorates cookies with his mother, Yolanda Phillips. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Lily Goodwin, 9, smiles as she holds her decorated cookie. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Oncology Resource Team hosted the Sib’s Secret Shopping Studio for young patients in the hematology and oncology division who might not be able to make it out holiday shopping this year.
Each patient and sibling was given a Christmas shopping list and paired with one of Santa’s helpers to pick out presents for their family members. They then had the opportunity to get their gifts wrapped while parents waited outside in order to keep the presents a surprise.
“When a child is hospitalized, their freedom is taken away from them,” said PORT coordinator Colleen Thompson. “This sibling event makes it possible for them to enjoy choosing gifts for their families.”
Families also enjoyed cookie decorating, hand painting, cheesecake and pizza.
“The children are excited about getting their families holiday gifts, and to have the opportunity to meet other children with similar health concerns,” Thompson said. “The evening is a joyous celebration of life and gratitude.”
That looks like a LOT of secrets to keep from now till Christmas! What fun for a bunch of special kiddos.