Santa Claus stopped by the OHSU Doernbecher NICU to visit some of our tiniest patients and their families, Dec. 2018. (OHSU)

The holidays can be an especially hard time for people to be in the hospital. That’s why so many community members, volunteers and medical staff go to extra efforts to bring the holidays spirit to the hospital.

Some of this year’s special events this year were:

Volunteers from the Healing Hunter Foundation set the tone in the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital hematology/oncology unit at the start of the month, creating a magical holiday Whoville.

Volunteers from the Healing Hunter Foundation transformed the oncology unit at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital on Dec. 1., to a holiday Whoville. The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who take a reading break. (Photo courtesy The Healing Hunter Foundation)

Members of the Trail Blazers hung out at OHSU Doernbecher, signing autographs and playing games.

Trail Blazer Evan Turner (center) partners up with Samuel Meeks, (left) and Harmonee Beeler, as members of the Portland Trail Blazers visited families at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

(Left to right) Blazers players Al-Farouq Aminu, CJ McCollum, and Gary Trent, Jr., visit with Sarah Jenkins and her 3-day-old baby Jazmyne Alvarado-Jenkins, along with Jusuf Nurkic. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

The Make-A-Wish Foundation hosted a party and shopping event for patients in OHSU Doernbecher.

Each year, Make-a-Wish Oregon's Holiday Magic visits OHSU Doernbecher. The event allows young hospital patients to shop for holiday gifts for family and friends, December 2018. (OHSU/Tracy Brawley)

And the generous folks from Spirit Mountain Casino rolled up a semi-load of new toys that will support OHSU Doernbecher children and families for an entire year.

Spirit Mountain Casino employees arrange toys donated to OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital on December 17, 2018. The is the 12th year the casino has sent over a truckload of toys. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Numerous choirs brought the joy of holiday music to the hospital, including the Royal Blues from PPS Grant High School, as well OHSU students teamed up to form a choir called “First Do No Harmony.”

And of course, the jolly old elf himself make a special visit to the babies in the NICU.

Santa Claus stopped by the OHSU Doernbecher NICU to visit some of our tiniest patients and their families. (OHSU)

Thank you to all of those who worked to bring holiday joy to the patients and families at OHSU.