JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Most of the patients at Wolfson Children's Hospital will spend their holiday season receiving treatment. Thanks to the star running back of the Jacksonville Jaguars, today they were able to forget about their illness.
Armed with wagons full of gifts, Maurice Jones-Drew and Santa himself, distributed Christmas presents to the young patients.
"We started last year. We're so blessed and fortunate with our health and we play a game that a lot of people enjoy to play. To give us an opportunity to go out and help the unfortunate, the ones that really are sick, to just brighten up their day," said Maurice Jones-Drew.
For 18-year-old Sarah Olsen, the visit couldn't have come at a better time.
"It shows that they care about all the kids that do have different cancers," said Olsen.
Olsen is battling a form of leukemia and will likely spend her holiday in the hospital. She said she appreciates the distraction.
"It's sweet that he goes around and sees all the kids," said Olsen.
Jones-Drew said events like these are personal to him.
"My son has been in this hospital a couple of times and he had a pretty serious illness at one point, so I know the kind of job this hospital does so I definitely want to give back and help as much as I can," said Jones-Drew.
Jones-Drew distributed a total of 30 presents and is already looking forward to visiting again next year.
