COLUMBIA, S.C. — It is hard being away for the holidays. Especially when your a kid and you have to spend Christmas in the hospital. That is why Prisma Health Children's Hospital brought back their 12th annual Holiday Parade.
Through the hospital's Child Life Department, more than 100 kids were filled with the holiday spirit today.
"All of our team members decorate floats, and pull carts and wagons, dress up, and bring the parade around to each of the children in their rooms," says Child Life & Special Programs manager, Christy Fink.
Local law enforcement and business owners also participated in the festivities. Santa and Mrs. Clause also made it down from the North Pole to hangout with the kids.
Fink says this is parade is more than just a kick start to the holiday. She says it is a way to bring childhood back into the lives of kids who have to spend much of theirs in the hospital.
"My favorite part is definitely seeing the children and seeing their smiles," she says, adding that it is just as exciting for the team members as it is for the patients.
Five-year-old Madelynn Johnson was so excited to meet Santa and tell him that she wants a Barbie Dream House for Christmas. Her father, Josh Johnson, was equally as excited to see the light shine in his daughter's eyes as the parade came through their hall.
"It means the world to see her face light up," he says. "Seeing your child be sick is the most difficult thing in the world. I can't even express in words how tough it is, but seeing her face light up and seeing her be happy. It just means the world to us."
Johnson says his daughter was diagnosed with cancer at five months old. Ever since, the cancer has been on and off until recently. In November, doctors found a large tumor in her right kidney. He says it is really difficult, especially around the holidays, but his family has made it through with the support from the hospital, friends, loved ones, and their community.
"It means the world to us and it makes a huge difference for us as we're going through all this difficulty," Johnson says.