Justin Bieber Gives Hugs, Audience To Children's Hospital OC Patients

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — It was just another day at Children's Hospital Orange County Hospital for Brittney Cruz, a Downey resident and sufferer of chronic pancreatitis. This week, she was one of the several CHOC patients visited by pop icon, Justin Bieber, who distracted from their reasons for being there not just by taking funny-faced selfies with patients but by listening to them and even praying with them.

"It was truly a surprise visit," CHOC media relations officer Denise Almazan said. "We received a call from one of his representatives who shared that Justin was in Orange County and would love to stop by, if it was convenient for us."

Bieber arrived alone, without an entourage, and spent an hour making several bedside visits, according to Almazan.

Though selfies and pictures with the megastar appeared across the internet in blazing time, publicity was not foremost in Bieber's actions while meeting and greeting people at the hospital.

Bieber talked with Cruz, seeking a better understanding, wanting to know why she was there and how the hospital was helping her.

"I couldn't believe my eyes!" Cruz told "Entertainment Tonight" in interview.

"When he came over to talk to me all I could think about was how nervous I was and if this was really happening to me. He sat down and asked me why I was here at the hospital, how they were helping me. I expressed to him how my condition, chronic pancreatitis, was rare in children and that doctors had a hard time giving me answers as to how to get better. He showed he really cared and continued to ask more about it," Cruz shared with "ET." "It was the most genuine conversation. He was the sweetest and every other word was a compliment. I just couldn't contain my smile!"

Cruz is frequently admitted to CHOC for her condition, pain and relief from debilitating, chronic pancreatitis. At present, Cruz and her family are raising funds to get her to Boston and the National Pancreas Foundation equipped to treat her condition.

Thus far, the family has raised just over $2,600 through her GoFundMe page.

"After our talk, we hugged and I told him I was sorry that I was shaking so much and he said, 'It's OK, you make me nervous too,' and hugged me again," she told "ET." "This is the side the world deserves to see of him. The side that is so real and genuine. I knew I always loved his music, but after yesterday, the kind and genuine soul I experienced definitely made me even more impressed with who he is as a person. He helped me change my perspective, and gave me the boost I needed during a really tough time. It was just simply so amazing and surreal."

Other patients, such as Brandie Clark's daughter Victoria, were openly moved to tears upon seeing Bieber enter her hospital room.

The actual video of @vickyyrunnner meeting @justinbieber at #CHOC. We still can't believe Justin Bieber came in to meet my chicklette. What a blessing this day was to her (& I). I never knew he had this big of a heart. #spendtimewithsickkids #bieberfan #icantbelievethis
A post shared by Brandie Runner (@nerium_brandie) on Jul 17, 2017 at 4:52pm PDT

Asking Clark to turn the camera off for a private discussion with Victoria, fans are seeing a change in the mega-star's actions. According to Clark, Bieber is more than he has been made out to be by paparazzi.

"There was no entourage, no photographers, no press and no friends," Clark said over Instagram. "Just him and the kids and a prayer for each of them. I love this man. He can call us #Beliebers."

"Our patients were absolutely thrilled to meet him and take pictures with him," Almazan said.

ALSO SEE:

MLB Star Is An 'Angel' To 55 SoCal Foster Kids: Watch As Matt Shoemaker Makes Their Day!

--

Photos courtesy and by permission of Brandie Clark and Brittney Cruz