PEORIA, Ill. – Even in the midst of crippling pain, Santa Claus can make everything better, even if for just a minute or two.
That was the hope of Santa making his 27th visit to OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois.
Santa, in this case, is Bill Turney, and what started out as an exchange of football cards has turned into an annual collection of toys that this year, turned in to $50,000 through collection boxes at local businesses.
“I know they’re sick. But, to me, they’re perfect,” said Turney. “We’re here to make every one of them smile and forget they’re sick for a few minutes.”
Santa arrived on a Peoria fire ladder truck; and while he wasn’t able to visit with all the children, he did meet many, delivering presents, hugging who could be hugged, and praying with many of them.
Turney’s health hasn’t been that great, but he said he felt good enough to do this again – this year, in honor of a friend who died of cancer and who made sure a large toy donation was made.
“His name was Bill Bridges. Him and his family have been long-time helpers and believers, and believing in what we do for these kids,” said Turney. “He just lost his battle with brain cancer in April. All the toys we have this year are donated in his memory.”
One of the patients getting to spend time with Santa was Danika Koeplin, 16, who suffers from incurable pain throughout her whole body.
“It really brightened her day,” said Amber Hinkson, Danika’s mother. “We don’t have a lot of positivity in the condition that she’s been diagnosed with. So, things like this really mean the world to us.”
Hinkson says her daughter, who has been in the hospital most of the year, generally just powers through the pain every day, caused by a rare disorder.
Turney says it takes a lot of elves to help him, and he’s grateful for them, and grateful for all the time OSF puts into it as well.
Click the play button below for a special version of this report from WMBD Radio’s Will Stevenson.
Click the play button above to hear the special report. Click the play button below to watch video of Santa’s arrival.
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