Three-year-old Brady Zwarick loves Power Rangers, playing outside, and anything that his 7-year-old brother Zachary likes.
Brady also has to have blood drawn from his chest at Johns Hopkins Children?s Center every month, due to a rare metabolic disease called LCHAD, which doesn?t allow his body to metabolize fats.
In order to take his mind off his disease, Johns Hopkins Children?s Center has invited Brady and his family, along with several other patients and their families, to take a direct flight to the North Pole on Dec. 1.
The JHCC?s annual event is in partnership with Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Southwest Airlines. Pediatric patients and their families board a flight to the “North Pole,” or Gate B-14, which is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with Santa Claus, elves and snow. The plane taxis around the runway from one gate to the other.
“A lot of people assume that we are just an airport, and that we are just concerned with flying,” said Cheryl Carley-Stewart, public relations officer for the Maryland Aviation Administration. “We also want to show that we can have an impact on the community.”
The kids are asked to write letters to Santa before the event, detailing toys they would like, which are provided by Charm City Concierge and other sponsors.
“For kids, Santa is such a presence in their lives. They get it. When they see him, they are star struck,” said Patrice Brylske, from Hopkins? Children?s Child Life department. “And the real magic happens when they are opening their gifts, because they say, ?This must be the real Santa, because this is what I put on my list.? ”
And Zach will have a chance to meet other families who have children with illnesses.
Said Kirsten, Brady and Zachary?s mother: “For Zach, it?s hard when Brady is in the hospital, because he?s not allowed to come to the room. He has to stay home while one of us is in the hospital. It affects everyone.”
HOW TO HELP
If you would like to donate to or volunteer for the Johns Hopkins Childrens Center, click here or call 410-955-6272.
