Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse recently visited CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County) to brighten up the lives of young patients and their families who are staying there. This led to happy sounds of happy voices and laughter as the Disney magic that brought also brought much-needed moments of joy to a hospital stay.
This was the first time since 2019 that Disney characters could bring the Disney magic that only they can bring directly to patients and their families at CHOC. This came with the return of inpatient room visits. This also allowed for some core memories to be created as Mickey and Minnie made their way to visit different rooms. This was a much-needed boost of positivity for those at CHOC.
“When Disney comes to visit CHOC, Disney’s magic isn’t just a fantasy—it’s a beacon of hope, joy, and wonder that transforms moments of uncertainty into cherished memories for patients and families alike,” said Eric Mammen, Creative Arts Supervisor – Child Life Department at CHOC. “We are so grateful for the opportunity for our patients and families to experience these moments provided by the Disney characters and cast members.”
Along with bringing Disney magic, these Disney friends also brought a souvenir from the Disneyland Resort. Patients were also given a plush Mickey Mouse to help them remember this special day and inspire them to keep moving forward into the future.
The partnership between Disney and CHOC goes all the way back to the origins of the hospital. In 1960, Walt Disney himself was a founding member for the hospital’s board. His fundraising efforts were a part of what brought this hospital to life in Orange County. Now, CHOC is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Disney continues to support CHOC. Through the years it has done so with magical moments like those shared above, financial donations, countless hours of support of Disney VoluntEARS, and helping create the child-friendly design of the Bill Holmes Tower and the interactive Turtle Talk with Crush inside of it. Disney continues to show its commitment to the hospital and the patients and their families who are there.
The Disneyland Resort also has hosted the CHOC Walk in the Park. Over the last three decades, this annual fundraiser has raised over $40 million for healthcare programs and research at CHOC. Last year alone raised over $2.2 million! This year, the CHOC Walk will be returning to Disneyland Resort on Sunday, July 21, 2024. It is NOT too late to join the Daps Magic team! Together we will walk through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure as we raise funds to support CHOC. Along the way, we’ll have a lot of fun together as we see characters, friends, and other surprises.
If you would like more information about walking in this year’s CHOC Walk or would like to join our team, please visit CHOCWalk.org/DapsMagic! If you would like to learn more about how Disney supports children’s hospitals around the world, visit Joy.Disney.com.
