SPOKANE, Wash. — The annual “Making Spirits Bright” tradition has become a source of hope for patients at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, particularly for 11-year-old Kaia Miller, who is fighting leukemia.
Kaia was diagnosed with leukemia in August and has spent months at the hospital undergoing chemotherapy. Christmas is her favorite holiday, and being away from home during this season has been difficult.
“I think it just reminds me of home,” Kaia said about the light display that the Extreme Team sets up each year outside the hospital.
The Making Spirits Bright event involves decorating trees with thousands of lights. Kaia has been watching the setup from her window throughout the week, eagerly awaiting the reveal.
For Kaia’s mother, Mikal Miller, seeing the lights has provided comfort during a difficult time.
“It’s nice to be able to at least get a little bit of that Christmas magic,” Mikal Miller said.
The display reminds Kaia of her family’s holiday traditions. “We normally, me and my mom love to decorate the house a lot,” she explained.
Ellie Yoshioka, a child life specialist at Sacred Heart, said the annual tradition brings joy to patients and staff.
“It’s something that those of us that have been here before look forward to every year,” Yoshioka said. “We have kids every day going to the balcony to look at them and looking out their windows.”
For Kaia, who often feels tired and sore from chemotherapy, the lights represent something special to look forward to when she has energy.
“I haven’t seen the lights before, so seeing them for the first time will make it very exciting, for sure,” Kaia said.
The Making Spirits Bright tradition shows how community support can make a difference for young patients and families during challenging times. Watch 4 News Now Thursday at 6 for the reveal from Mark Peterson and the Extreme Team.
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