American Heritage Schools pre-med students host annual holiday party for pediatric cancer patients in Fort Lauderdale

A group of South Florida pre-med students helped grant a festive wish for pediatric cancer patients at Broward Wellness Therapeutic Center Students from American Heritage Schools pre-medical scheme came together to throw a festive holiday bash for the kids We are trying to make more of an impact on quality of life We know that there is so much research done towards healing and everything we are just trying to make the holiday season a little bit brighter for each child announced aspirant Kennedy Deitsch The students were able to pull off the celebration after beginning their planning during a pizza party they had with the children in October The supporters from American Heritage got to meet the patients from the hematology and oncology unit and they sat down with them played games they had pizza they helped them write a list for Santa Claus commented Carlos Pulido the anatomical studies activity director at American Heritage Schools The clinical center then helped those students raise the funds they needed to grant as numerous wish list items as they could We raised over and then those funds were used to fulfill greater part of everything from those children announced Pulido From there students went from one store to the next knocking out everything they could from each child s list The months-long effort culminated in students helping Santa Claus fulfill those wishes and bring a memorable Christmas holiday for the children It is just so rewarding because you really feel like you re making a direct impact and then when we are all wrapping the presents or playing Christmas music it s just a super fun atmosphere to be in and it really just brings us closer as a society explained Deitsch For various students all that effort was more than just an act of giving The smiles on these children s faces when they see they really got what they want from Santa it just makes your heart so happy explained attendee Lahari Challa The kids were over the moon once they identified out that Santa got exactly what they craved The kids parents cherished the moment I ve never seen her this happy It made me feel selected type of way very happy very emotional revealed Ivonne Cardona This marked the th year pre-med students from the Broward and Palm Beach campuses have hosted the holiday party