Leaping into the Year of the Rabbit at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health

Hearing the beating of drums and clash of cymbals – patients and their families gazed in awe of the colorful blue and hot pink lions as they leaped and bobbed their heads, weaving around the lobby at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. The hospital’s annual Lunar New Year celebration was back in-person for the first time since the pandemic to ring in the Year of the Rabbit.

In accordance with safety protocols and visitor guidelines, Child Life specialists created various stations for patients to explore after the lion dance performance. Together with their families, they went table to table, gathering educational children’s books about the holiday, various arts and crafts, and even special treats that are symbols of good fortune. Young patients who were unable to attend had goodie bags delivered to their rooms.

Two-year-old Harper Darnell and her mom, Angela, made sure to attend when they heard about the event. They’ve been at the hospital since November as Harper continues to be treated for osteomyelitis in her leg.

“This is especially nice because we haven’t been able to be home for a long time,” Darnell says. “We had to spend the holidays here, which was sad and happy at the same time because Child Life made it so lively, just like this Lunar New Year holiday. It makes you feel like you’re able to celebrate.”

The annual tradition at Packard Children’s is sponsored by CM Capital Foundation.