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Patients at Children’s Hospital Were Surprised With an Exclusive Experience

spidey and his amazing friends
Credit: Abc 7

Childhood is a magical time full of wonder and enchantment. For some children, however, it’s also a time of treatments and hospitals. 6.5 million children are hospitalized each year, battling critical illnesses. This can be a scary and stressful experience. Disney has partnered with children’s hospitals nationwide to alleviate that. For patients at Texas Children’s Hospital, for just a moment at least, that stress was replaced by joy.

With the help of Spidey and his amazing friends and the nonprofit organization Starlight, Disney brought magic to the largest children’s hospital in the country. 

Slide and his amazing friends

Credit: ABC 7

On Tuesday, the patients were treated to a special surprise! To celebrate the season 2 launch of Spidey and his Amazing Friends, Disney showed up with a chest full of Spiderman-themed toys, but that wasn’t all! The kids were treated to an exclusive pre-screen of the show (which is currently Disney Jr’s most popular amongst boys) ahead of its August 19th premiere! Armen Taylor, who voices the Hulk in the show, even made a special appearance at the event to meet with patients and their families! 

Spidey and his amazing friends

Credit: ABC 7

“Disney symbolizes so much for children,” said Tabitha Rice, executive vice president of Texas Children’s Hospital. “So to have them be a partner with us to help make kids and families smile, it’s just a privilege to do that.”

Spider and his amazing friends

Credit: ABC 7

The smiles were non-stop on Tuesday too. “I feel so happy,” exclaimed 9-year-old Jakeira “Keke” Williams, “Mommy said I’m brave,” Keke said. “Really brave because I’m a strong girl.”

That’s what it’s all about. Making kids happy in a scary situation. Starlight CEO Adam Garone said, “You see their faces light up, and it’s about kids getting to be kids, no matter what they are going through.”

Spidey and his amazing friends

Credit: ABC 7

For the past five years, the Walt Disney Company has poured an unprecedented $100 million into reinventing children’s hospitals worldwide.  Houston’s Texas Children’s Hospital was the first. The goal is to use the best of Disney’s storytelling and beloved characters to create a more comforting experience for the children.

About Jill Bivins

Jill Bivins has been visiting Disney Parks since she was 2 years old and loves sharing her Disney adventures with the world. She likes to say Disney is in her blood and writing is in her bones — so any time she has the opportunity to combine these loves she is one happy camper! She has a deep abiding love for Epcot and as a die hard Star Wars fan has a serious love for Hollywood Studios as well. When she isn't exploring or writing about Disney Parks, Jill is homeschooling her 8 year old son, playing with her brand new baby son, or pretending to be a farmer on her family homestead (despite being unable to keep even a cactus alive). Find Jill on Instagram @minnieonmain.