Naval Medical Center Portsmouth's (NMCP) galley was transformed into a winter wonderland Dec. 11, , complete with a Christmas tree, presents, holiday decorations and a chair reserved for Santa for the 14th Annual Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic Christmas Party.

The special guest for the day, however, was not Santa. It was the 30 families whose children are undergoing treatment and the two families who were there to honor the memory of their children who passed away this year from cancer.

The day was to celebrate their journey and their battle with their disease. The tree served as a symbol of this as each patient placed a red ribbon on branches, signifying their fight against cancer. Silver ribbons were used to symbolize siblings who often make sacrifices of their own to support their brother or sister while they undergo treatment. Gold ribbons were placed by family members in remembrance of those patients lost this year.

"The gold ribbon is so important to have here, because it honors patients we've lost," said Chris Brogan, NMCP's child life specialist and the coordinator of the event. "It's important to know that even though they lost, they still battled and we share in those families' grief."

Once each ribbon was placed on the tree, the children and their siblings spent time with Santa, who gave each one a present and posed for a photo.

"Santa came, I asked him for presents. Green and red ones," little Erick Perdomo exclaimed as he opened his new Legos.

Following the gift opening, each child decorated their own gingerbread house.

"This party is nice, because it gets the whole family involved," said Adam Wallman, whose son Ayden is battling leukemia. "It impacts (the siblings) too. They don't have cancer, but it still takes a toll on them as well. And you can never go to too many Christmas parties. Seriously though, it's nice because the doctors, nurses and staff usually see them in (a medical setting), and this is a chance to see their patients in a different way."

Being away from the environment of treatment, if only for a few hours, is beneficial for the staff and children alike.

"This event gives the kids a chance to see other kids who look like them," said Air Force Maj. Jacob Wessler, a hematology and oncology physician in the Pediatrics Ward. "The kids get to see us in a more normal situation. They get to hang out with us in bright sweaters and see everyone smile."

For children who regularly display the courage that many adults may not, NMCP's Christmas wonderland trumped cancer for the day.

For more news from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, visit www.navy.mil/.