Santa makes the rounds at Christus Sutton's Children's Hospital
By: Morgan Thomas
Updated: December 25, 2012
No one wants to spend Christmas in the hospital, but that's especially true for sick children and their families. That's why Santa Claus spent Tuesday morning bringing joy to patients at Christos Sutton's Children's Hospital.
Nothing makes pediatric patients' forget about their troubles like Santa can.
"It's a way to keep our traditions alive," said Santa.
"He makes his last stop after his busy night of travels because these kids are sick and in the hospital," said Shawn Brasher, Child Life Program Manager for Sutton's Children's.
"The presents are piled up in front of each patient's room so Santa can hand-deliver them, not just to patients, but they're siblings, too.
Santa has made this stop for the past seven years, but this Christmas morning was different because normally, the children run out of their rooms to greet Santa in the lobby.
"We've had to go room-to-room on every child because one, they're so sick they can't come out, or two, they're in isolation because contagious viruses are going around this time of year," said Brasher.
It didn't stop Santa.
"We make accommodations. We put our masks on and we go see the kids," said Santa.
Babies to teenagers, they're smiles say it all.
"Who wants to be in the hospital? But on Christmas? They've left the comfort of their family homes and they're here and they're not feeling well," said Santa.
Organizers of the Christmas event spend hours getting background information so each gift is chosen carefully for each patient and their siblings
