Holiday Magic When Rezen Least Expected It
Every year for the holidays, Rezen and her family follow the same traditions: going to church, wrapping goodies they bought on Black Friday, attending their cousins’ ornament party and watching Christmas movies while wearing matching PJs.
Rezen and her siblings anticipate Christmas Eve with joy. A favorite tradition is to choose one gift to open that evening, while saving the rest for Christmas Day.
But their family’s holiday traditions were abruptly disrupted when Rezen was hospitalized to prepare to receive a bone marrow transplant. This transplant was crucial to treat her severe aplastic anemia, a rare and life-threatening condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells.
Rezen was hospitalized for over 365 days straight, staying through two different holiday seasons.
“Our first Christmas in the hospital was very hard,” shared Ristina, Rezen’s mom.
Rezen’s immune system was extremely weak, and with strict visiting policies at the hospital, they couldn’t see Rezen’s brother and grandmother. They spent the holiday in the hospital by themselves.
“Spending Christmas away from our family felt kind of miserable,” Ristina recalled.
Still, unexpected moments of happiness gave Rezen and Ristina the comfort and cheer that they needed.
Holiday Happiness in the Hospital, Two Years in a Row
Rezen’s hospital gives holiday support for kids, so on Christmas Eve, Santa came with his elves (the hospital’s Child Life staff) to different rooms in the hospital, gifting toys that the hospital received through the Starlight Toy Delivery program.
Santa gave Rezen a pre-Christmas gift. She was able to open a gift the day before Christmas, just like she normally would have at home. “All I could do was cry and feel thankful,” reminisced Ristina.
Rezen was in the hospital again during Christmas the following year, but this time in the intensive care unit. Still, fun surprises helped Rezen and Ristina experience holiday magic.
Ristina and Rezen took part in a hospital Christmas party with games, a potluck and a Christmas card photo opp. Rezen’s grandmother and brother were able to come too.
And, to top it off, Rezen and her brother both received gifts, including toys!
“They gave Rezen and her brother the most extraordinary gifts. Things that I would probably not be able to afford for them that year. I’m crying as I’m telling you this now.”
- Ristina, Rezen's Mom
Ristina shares that it was incredible not to worry about gift shopping or wrapping while she was busy, focused on life in the hospital and Rezen’s medical challenges.
She also loved how Rezen’s younger brother got a gift too. “Rezen is celebrated a lot to keep her motivated, but her younger brother is often feeling left out,” Ristina shared.
“It [the second holiday in the hospital] was probably the second or third best Christmas of our lives, and I’m old!” Ristina laughed.
These happy holiday moments are lasting memories she and her mom will never forget.
Today, Rezen has left the hospital and will get to spend the holidays at home this year.
Create Joyful Moments Families Will Never Forget
This season, there are hundreds of families like Rezen and Ristina near you and nationwide that will have to spend their holidays in the hospital.
We need your help to deliver holiday magic to children’s hospitals.
You can ensure toys, games and other bundles of happiness are delivered to hospitals by December 25th.
Why give? Ristina’s story says it best:
“I recall one day watching a fleet of semi-trucks come with so many toys you couldn’t count. I just watched out the window and cried to see how generous and wonderful people are. I’m thankful to donors who take the time and remember the kids fighting so hard in the hospital every year.”
- Ristina, Rezen's Mom
Be a generous supporter and help kids experience joy, cheer and hope.
We can’t change the countdown to home, but can we count on you to give happiness to hospitalized kids when they need it most?
Inspiring Stories, Updates, and Ways to Help
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