Santa Claus and holiday games served as entertainment during Naval Medical Center Portsmouth's (NMCP) Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 16th annual Christmas party, Dec. 9.

The annual party gives chronically-ill children and their families a fun respite during the holidays with others who understand the challenges of what they are going through. More than two dozen children currently receiving care or in long-term care attended, along with about 20 siblings.

"It's great to get all the kids who are used to seeing each other in a medical setting -- where all the doctors are wearing white coats or scrubs -- together in an environment and be able to have fun and just be kids," said Cmdr. Cole Bryan, staff Pediatric Hematology/Oncology physician. "Families get a chance to see other families who are going through the same thing, or families who are on the other side of treatment."

The party began with snacks and holiday treats served by the Oakleaf Club and Hematology/Oncology Clinic staff. Afterward, the group celebrated the lives of those who have received treatment in the clinic, first by placing a large gold ribbon on the Christmas tree in memory of patients who have passed. Several families then placed smaller gold ribbons on the tree in the memory of their child.

Then, a large red ribbon was hung on the tree to honor survivors and patients currently undergoing treatment. Each sick child was invited to place a red ribbon on the tree for them and their families to signify their own struggle, while siblings placed a silver ribbon.

Afterwards, seniors from Greenbrier Christian Academy invited the children to play several party games. The games included candy cane pick-up, face the gingerbread man, jingle all the way, deck the halls, and wrap it up. The kids raced to pick up candy canes with a candy cane in their hand or mouth, tried to move a cookie from their forehead to their mouths with facial movements, and danced until all the jingle bells fells out of a tissue box tied around their waist. The last two games involved wrapping paper -- the kids used wrapping paper tubes to pick up ornaments -- and the final game had the seniors racing to wrap the kids with wrapping paper.

"We wanted to bring the joy of Christmas to these kids," said Seth Tarkenton, one of 25 Academy seniors who were at the party. "They are going through tough times, so if we can brighten their day, that's magical."

Finally, Santa Claus joined the party, inviting each child to sit on his lap for a present and a photo. That invitation was not only extended to the patients, but also to the siblings.

"We've been to several of the parties, and it's always nice to see the other families," said Patty Furco, mother of Abby, 10, who has been receiving treatment for more than five years. "It brings great joy getting to watch her place a red ribbon this year. To see her running around happily, hugging her friends is amazing."

Furco said about five months ago, Abby was in hospice care, and they expected they would be placing a gold ribbon at this year's party.

"Time and again, we praise our doctors here and the care here, and all the different teams," Furco said. "The care at NMCP is top-notch. We're so thankful to the ICU (intensive care unit) staff, oncology staff, the nurses, and the corpsmen -- they are absolutely amazing and all part of our family."

The four Pediatric Hematology and Oncology physicians at NMCP provide care for children with sickle cell disease, blood disorders, immune system disorders, vascular malformations, and cancer -- with leukemia and brain tumors being the most common in children. Each physician is the primary oncologist for 3-4 oncology patients who are undergoing active therapy, while the remainder of their oncology patients are receiving follow-up care while off therapy as they monitor for latent effects and relapse.

As the party came to an end, and as each child hopped off Santa's lap, they walked away with a grin from ear-to-ear, eager to check out their present and see the photo they had taken with Santa -- a reminder of the moment they had without worry or thought for the treatment they had undergone.

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