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red stars artwork by St. Jude patient Ty
St. Jude patient Charlie wears Christmas pajamas while spending the holidays in the hospital at St. Jude..

Patient Charlie while he was being treated at St. Jude at Christmastime.

 

Celebrating Christmas in the hospital

St. Jude patient families share how they spent Christmas at the hospital and ways to brighten the holidays if someone you know is in the hospital too. 

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Video of St. Jude patient Felicity who spent Christmas in the hospital.
 
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As a first-time mommy, I was so excited about our baby Felicity’s first Christmas. I never imagined we would be in the hospital for it.

- Felicity's mom, Mandy

Felicity's four-month checkup led to the discovery of multiple aggressive tumors in her brain and spine, which led to her family being inpatient at St. Jude Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

 
 

It's easy to feel alone during the holidays when everybody's with family, but we didn't feel alone here.

- St. Jude patient Shayla's mom

Shayla was being treated at St. Jude for acute myeloid leukemia when she and her mother spent Christmas at the hospital housing facilites, where they opened gifts with their family over Facetime.

 
red stars artwork by St. Jude patient Ty
St. Jude patient Shayla in front of a Christmas tree on the St. Jude campus.

St. Jude patient Shayla when she was being treated at St. Jude at Christmastime.

 
 
St. Jude patientpatient Charlie in a hospital room that is decorated for Christmas

Patient Charlie while he was being treated at St. Jude at Christmastime.

 

We remember her every year on Christmas Day, but actually being in the same place, the same grounds, on that same day. It was eerie. It was strange. But there was a sense of peace, too. An odd sense of peace.

- St. Jude patient Charlie's mom

Decades before Charlie was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in 2020, his aunt had received cancer treatment at St. Jude. She did not survive, passing away as a child on Christmas Day. 

Charlie completed treatment, and his scans have remained clear.

 
 
 

10 ways to brighten the holidays in the hospital, from St. Jude families

 
red stars art by St. Jude patient Ty
 
 

1.

Bring in string lights or candles with batteries to give your room a cozy glow.

 
Cat and dog wrapped up in Christmas lights Art by St. Jude patient Ty.

Art by St. Jude patient Ty

 
 
 
 
Fireplace and Christmas tree scene artwork by St. Jude patient Roman.

Art by St. Jude patient Roman

 

2.

Decorate with special items from home to make the hospital room feel more familiar.

 
 
 
 
 

3.

Share homemade holiday treats together for a yummy addition to meals.

 
Gingerbread man art by St. Jude patient Tyler.

Art by St. Jude patient Tyler

 
 
 
 
Fireplace, presents and Christmas tree scene artwork by St. Jude patient Sydney.

Art by St. Jude patient Sydney

 

4.

Wrap presents with bows and set them all around to make the room feel festive.

 
 
 
 
 

5.

Dress up as Santa Clause, Mrs. Clause or an elf, and put a smile on everyone's face.

 
Santa by Christmas tree with kids running art by St. Jude patient Arshaun.

Art by St. Jude patient Arshaun

 
 
 
 
red stars art by St. Jude patient Ty
 
 

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red stars art by St. Jude patient Ty
 
 
Blue Snowflake artwork by St. Jude patient Sydney.

Art by St. Jude patient Sydney

 

6.

Make paper snowflakes or a garland chain to hang in the window for a fun activity to pass the time.

 
 
 
 
 

7.

Offer a new surprise everyday with stockings filled with small gifts or candy.

 
Christmas tree, window, fireplace with stockings art by St. Jude patient Caleb.

Art by St. Jude patient Caleb

 
 
 
 
St. Jude rocks music artwork by St. Jude patient Karina.

Art by St. Jude patient Karina

 

8.

Sing your favorite songs together to karaoke music with printed off lyrics. 

 
 
 
 
 

9.

Bring in holiday movies to watch together — with popcorn!

 
Popcorn art by St. Jude patient Reid.

Art by St. Jude patient Reid

 
 
 
 
Blue and yellow BELIEVE artwork by St. Jude patient Aisling.

Art by St. Jude patient Aisling

 

10.

Most importantly, "Don't give up! Keep going!"

 
 
 
 
 
red stars art by St. Jude patient Ty
 
 
St. Jude patient Alana and her mom  next to a Christmas tree.

St. Jude patient Alana and her mom

 

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