Nearly 800 patients and families celebrate the holidays at Dana-Farber

From face painting to farm animals, miniature horses and train rides, the Jimmy Fund Clinic Winter Festival brings fun and cheer to nearly 800 patients and their families during the holidays, a time that can be challenging when facing cancer.

Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund Clinic patient Thomas Stevenson, 4, and his sister, Madison, 3 visit with Santa Claus at the Jimmy Fund Clinic Winter Festival. — Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic patient Thomas Stevenson, 4, and his sister, Madison, 3 visit with Santa Claus at the Jimmy Fund Clinic Winter Festival.

The Winter Festival kicks-off a week-long celebration with a visit from Santa and his elves at Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic. Thomas Stevenson, 4, a patient here, experienced his first festival this year along with his parents and sister, Madison, 3.

“Cancer has changed our lives as parents but having this event brings out the holiday spirit in everyone and adds a little extra magic in our lives when it’s needed most,” said Thomas’s father, Ken Stevenson. “It allowed us to escape from the cancer Thomas is fighting and just be a family.”

Thomas (more commonly known as "Super-hero Thomas") spends time with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Jimmy Fund Clinic Winter Festival. — Thomas (more commonly known as “Super-hero Thomas”) spends time with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Jimmy Fund Clinic Winter Festival.

Like most 4-year-old boys, Thomas asked Santa to bring him Batman and Superman toys, but he also wished for something else. “I asked Santa to please not forget about the presents Madison and all the other boys and girls asked for,” said Thomas. A wish that Santa and his workshop will be sure to fulfill.

Dana-Farber patients and families take a ride on the holiday train with Rudolph and his friends.

Lisa Scherber, director of Patient and Family Programs at Dana-Farber, has organized the festival for the last 20 years. “It still brings tears to my eyes when I see the kids running towards Santa. It’s a day where we can show them a different kind of medicine–laughter.”