Spreading Holiday Cheer at The James Cancer Hospital

Santa Ben joined fellow volunteers at The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, bringing moments of connection and encouragement to patients during the holiday season.

Moving room to room, Santas and volunteers spent time with patients facing difficult journeys—offering conversation, presence, and a brief pause from the clinical rhythm of the hospital. Many of those participating carried personal connections to cancer themselves, bringing a deeper level of understanding to each interaction.

While not every patient was able to receive a visit, the moments that did occur were meaningful. For those who welcomed Santa into their room, even briefly, the experience created a sense of warmth, familiarity, and human connection during an otherwise challenging time.

“Happiness from them—it’s just a sense of joy for them to have Santa Claus coming in to see them.”

This effort extended beyond a single location, reaching patients across both The James Cancer Hospital and the Ross Heart Hospital, with hundreds impacted by the visits.