Inspiring Joy and Courage for Kids with Childhood Cancer
When children are hospitalized for a serious illness or injury, their whole world turns upside down.
They are taken out of their everyday lives and placed in an unfamiliar hospital room. They may face constant pokes and pains, be afraid of their treatments or feel alone.
Starlight Children’s Foundation and Disney have a longstanding relationship bringing comfort and joy to kids in children’s hospitals through toy donations, movie screenings, themed hospital gowns designed by Disney, and more. This collaboration allows for increased support for kids with cancer, like Sofia and Azalea, to stay resilient through moments of comfort and happiness.
3-year-old Sofia and 4-year-old Azalea were both diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in April 2025. Both of their families stay at the hospital for days, weeks and months at a time.
The hardships of childhood cancer and chemotherapy take a toll on Sofia and Azalea – constant pokes, severe pains, and a loss of appetite and energy.
Discovering Joy: Sofia and Azalea’s Stories
Sofia and Azalea love Disney Princesses.
At home, Azalea loves dressing up as different princesses, especially Jasmine, one of her favorites. At the hospital, Sofia loves playing princess and using her Frozen snowflake wand to freeze her medical team.
So, when they received their Disney Princess-themed Starlight Hospital Gowns, they lit up with joy.
Sofia Wears What She Loves
Nina, Sofia’s mom, recalls the special moment that Sofia received her Disney Princess-themed Starlight Gown:
“She immediately asked, ‘Is that for me?’ I told her it was a very special gown for a beautiful little princess. When she saw Ariel, her whole face lit up – she smiled so big ... and hugged them tight.”
The Disney Princess-themed Starlight Gowns give Sofia a sense of ownership, choice and self-expression at the hospital. Nina shares:
“The gowns truly cheer her up. She proudly tells everyone who walks into her room that she’s Ariel ... The gowns have become a special part of keeping things fun and personal for her – they make her feel like herself, even in a hospital bed. So it’s really special that she gets to wear something she loves. Wearing her special gowns makes her feel happy and confident and those small wins are what keep me going.”
Azalea Plays Princess Dress Up
For Azalea, her Princess Jasmine Starlight Gown enables her to play princess dress up like she loves to do at home, creating a sense of normalcy.
The gowns' special designs have also made them an essential resource for Azalea’s parents as they care for her.
The snaps on the sleeves and ties down the sides have relieved Azalea’s family and healthcare team from some of the practical challenges that come with Azalea’s treatment.
Courtney, Azalea’s mom, shares:
“The gowns also make it easier for us and the hospital staff to access her tubes and lines … We use the gowns at home as we have many medications to give her and have to have easy access. Her immunotherapy is linked 24/7. Starlight Gowns make it easy for us to check everything is going properly, compared to regular clothes that just make it difficult.”
Sofia and Azalea’s experiences speak to the key roles Disney Princess-themed Starlight Gowns play in supporting hospitalized kids nationwide.
Practical Comfort for Hospitalized Kids
A 2025 study found that 96% of Starlight’s partners agreed that Starlight gowns improved kids’ mood, and 93% said they helped reduce kids’ anxiety and stress.
Further, only 5% of children feel comfortable in traditional hospital gowns, and many worried that wearing normal clothes might make care harder for the hospital team. Princess-themed Starlight Hospital Gowns offer a critical solution — familiar character-inspired designs that help kids find comfort while supporting medical procedures.
These results come to life through Sofia and Azalea’s stories. Their experiences show how themed Starlight Gowns can support and improve hospitalized kids’ emotional well-being and overall hospital experience.
With their Princess-themed Starlight Gowns upon their shoulders, Sofia and Azalea can stand courageous — a testament to the strength, happiness, and hope that community supporters, Disney and Starlight bring to every child’s hospital journey.
Still, more kids need your help. Over 5 million kids are hospitalized each year for serious illnesses, and need strength, comfort and courage to get through tough days.
Learn how to get involved today.
