The holidays are meant to be filled with joy, laughter, and time spent with loved ones. But for children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, the season often looks very different. Instead of twinkling lights at home, many spend their holidays in hospital rooms, undergoing treatments, surrounded by medical equipment instead of family.
The Emilio Nares Foundation San Diego (ENF) believes that no child should miss out on the magic of the season. Each year, the organization launches Holiday Smiles, a campaign designed to bring hope, comfort, and joy to children receiving care at Rady Children’s Hospital.
The campaign begins in November with fundraising, toy drives, and volunteer events that bring the community together in generosity. These efforts blossom in December into unforgettable holiday celebrations inside the Transplant, Oncology, and Sickle Cell Units at Rady’s. During these parties, children open presents and experience the wonder of the holidays, while parents are given the relief of seeing their child smile despite the challenges of illness.
One parent shared with GB Magazine, “When ENF gave our child presents, it meant more than words could explain. We did not know how or if we would celebrate that year, but seeing our child smile, reminded us that joy is still possible, even in hard times.”
Holiday Smiles is part of ENF’s Continuum of Care, which ensures families receive support not only during the holidays but throughout the year, from free rides to treatment through Ride With Emilio, to food security, education, and emotional support. The holiday season offers a special opportunity for ENF and its supporters to go even further, ensuring children who are fighting for their lives still feel the warmth and wonder of this special time of year.
Here are some ways that you can support the Holiday Smiles campaign:
- Donating gifts that will be wrapped and hand-delivered to children in the hospital.
- Joining a gift-wrapping party, where volunteers prepare presents and share in the joy of giving.
- Assembling snack bags with hospital-approved treats. Since some children must fast for up to 24 hours before chemotherapy, these thoughtful bags provide comfort and relief when they are finally able to eat.
Every gift and every act of kindness make a difference. This holiday season, ENF and its supporters aim to ensure that every child in the Transplant, Oncology, and Sickle Cell Units at Rady Children’s experiences joy, hope, and love. Together, the community will not only deliver presents, they will deliver Holiday Smiles.
For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.enfhope.org.
