The fun begins in hundreds of children’s hospitals with fan-favorite Lilo & Stitch
This summer, kids in hospitals will experience Disney magic with exclusive events and special deliveries of toys and books, many of which are tied to the latest theatrical releases, starting with fan-favorite Lilo & Stitch.
Disney Hosts Lilo & Stitch Movie Party in Sacramento
To kick off the summer festivities, Disney hosted a Lilo & Stitch movie party for patients and families at Sutter Children’s Center in Sacramento — a region with a significant Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community. The event featured hula dancing, coloring activities, Lilo & Stitch-themed giveaways delivered by Starlight Children’s Foundation, and a surprise visit from Stitch himself. The kids also received a special message from Zach Galifianakis, who plays Jumba, before watching the brand-new film.
“These events can really help them feel like they’re not in the hospital,” said Sara Anderson, pediatric manager of integrated therapies at Sutter Children’s Center. “We all remember going to Disneyland and seeing a character — how special that is. But imagine being a child in the hospital and having a character come to you. That can really lift your spirits.”
Nine-year-old patient Grace lit up when Stitch walked in. “It made me feel like I was in the movie just standing with him saying, ‘Hi, my name is Grace, and this is my friend Stitch,’” she said. And her review of the day? “Amazing, cool, awesome, and ten out of ten.” Her mom, Jessica, added that the event created a “family environment for the hospital. And with her having to stay here, it’s a blessing that she gets to be part of this.”
Lilo & Stitch Brings Joy to Children’s Hospitals Around the World
The fun of Lilo & Stitch continued around the world. In Japan, Disney VoluntEARS and professional announcers read aloud to patients in Shizuoka Children’s Hospital through Disney Storytime, Disney Japan’s new storytelling initiative in collaboration with Nippon Television (NTV) Holdings Inc. and Kodansha Ltd. Disney China brought Stitch plush and interactive activities to 50 Disney Fun Houses — Disney-themed play spaces — across China. At Beijing Children’s Hospital, Stitch joined Disney VoluntEARS to interact with the children, following an animated Lilo & Stitch screening at the hospital’s Disney Mobile Theater.
In Indonesia, Disney and Make-A-Wish hosted a Lilo & Stitch screening for 55 children and their families at Harapan Kita Women and Children’s Hospital in Jakarta. Stitch “crashed” the party and visited over 150 children in the pediatric wards. Local influencer Yasmin Napper joined the event, alongside 15 Disney VoluntEARS, to create moments of happiness and comfort.
Starting this week, hundreds of children’s hospitals now have access to watch Lilo & Stitch while it’s still in theaters through Disney Movie Moments. Since 2014, thousands of seriously ill children have been able to watch new movies while in the hospital through Disney Movie Moments.
Children’s hospitals will also receive a Lilo & Stitch edition of Disney’s Movie Party in a Box, which contains a curated assortment of complimentary themed products and activities. Both Disney Movie Moments and Movie Party in a Box offer kids and their families a sense of comfort and community when they may not be able to visit movie theaters.
Disney Magic Continues in the Months Ahead
Highly anticipated films including Disney and Pixar’s Elio, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Disney’s Freakier Friday will also debut on Disney Movie Moments globally from June through August.
The magic will extend beyond the screen for kids in hospitals this summer, as teams from around the world plan deliveries of toys and books, and events with visits from Disney characters, artists, and Disney VoluntEARS. Fans from across Southern California will participate in CHOC Walk in the Park at Disneyland Resort, and new sets of Disney-themed Starlight Hospital Gowns and Pants will also be made available to hundreds of children’s hospitals across the country.
These activations are part of Disney’s ongoing support for seriously ill children, following a recently fulfilled $100 million global commitment to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals and pediatric places of care. Disney is continuing to show up for kids and families in ways that only Disney can, bringing our characters, stories, and experiences to kids in children’s hospitals, especially this season, as many young patients might otherwise miss out on popular summer activities.
To learn more about The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to delivering happiness and comfort when it’s needed most, please visit joy.disney.com.