Boston Children’s Hospital Aids Kids Hospitalized During Holidays

BOSTON, MA — Boston Children’s Hospital this week launched its third annual virtual toy drive — a bid to raise money to buy toys for kids staying in the hospital over the holidays. This year's fundraiser has a $350,000 goal.

Here's more from a Boston Children's news release:

Boston Children’s Hospital announced the launch of its 3rd annual Virtual Toy Drive to support patients at the hospital during the holidays. The Virtual Toy Drive Program invites participants to fundraise to ensure the holidays are celebrated to the fullest at the hospital, with gifts for each patient, virtual Santa visits, and special moments throughout the season. Funds also help restock playrooms and fill urgent needs of families and the hospital—during the holidays and beyond.

“Being at the hospital during the holidays is so hard for patients and their families,” said Beth Donegan Driscoll, director of Child Life Services at Boston Children’s Hospital. “The toys and other items funded through the annual Virtual Toy Drive give kids a moment of joy and celebration as they work through their illnesses.”

For patients like Addy Gigliotti and her family, the Virtual Toy Drive is a chance to give back to the hospital that has helped her so much.

One morning, 3-year-old Addy got a little paper cut on her finger, and several hours later went into septic shock and was admitted to Boston Children’s Hospital to find out she had an immune deficiency. After two years of testing to understand her unique condition, her doctor revealed that Addy had inherited a rare, life-threatening blood disorder called Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), in addition to her immune deficiency. In need of a stem cell transplant to survive, her sister Brooke was luckily the perfect match and eliminated all traces of HLH for Addy. Today, her immune deficiency is controlled by regular infusions and care at the hospital. Now 8 years old, Addy is thriving and busy with dance, soccer, and gymnastics. Her family is hosting their third Virtual Toy Drive to help kids feel the spirit of the season.

Interested participants can register to fundraise by creating a team, joining an existing team, or getting involved as an individual. To register for the program, go to www.bostonchildrens.org/toydrive.