Disney, Lucasfilm and Starlight Children’s Foundation Join Forces to Bring Star Wars Day to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

This May the 4th, we are spreading the Force of kindness and joy to hospitalized kids across the country. These young Padawans often face stress, fear, and loneliness in an unfamiliar environment, making playtime crucial for their healing journey. 

That’s why Lucasfilm is working with Starlight Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to deliver happiness to hospitalized kids and their families, to celebrate May the 4th– Star Wars Day and deliver hospital-approved programs that transport kids to iconic worlds like Star Wars, helping them heal through the power of imaginative play. This Star Wars Day, 450 children’s hospitals and pediatric places of care across the nation are receiving themed toys, books and costumes – including adaptive costumes for kids with special needs – that were curated through Disney Store and Disney Publishing, donated by Disney, and distributed by Starlight. 

At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the littlest fans had the chance to meet and engage with the biggest Star Wars enthusiasts from fan groups, like the 501st Legion and Mando Mercs, who attended an exclusive event onsite dressed in full costume to distribute themed toys, lightsabers, books, costumes and Starlight Hospital gowns and pants, featuring the iconic characters Ahsoka Tano, Chewbacca, Din Djarin (a.k.a. The Mandalorian) along with Grogu, R2-D2, and Darth Vader. 

Designed with high quality fabric with ties down the side and snaps on the sleeve, Starlight Hospital gowns replace standard-issued gowns, offering more comfort, better privacy and easier access for medical staff during procedures. When worn, the gowns featuring artwork artfully adapted into hospital-friendly designs are meant to encourage young patients to assume the character’s attributes, inspiring resilience and courage. To add some additional flair, this Starlight Hospital gown collection even included a surprise and delight experience offered through QR codes printed on the gowns. When scanned, the code showcases beloved characters such as Darth Vader in iconic scenes on the user’s screen while delivering memorable lines and inspiring young fans to learn more and join the Force. 

And to make things extra special, Katee Sackhoff, who plays Bo-Katan Kryze in the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian met patients with a surprise visit as Bo-Katan herself! The actor has played Bo-Katan Kryze for over a decade, starting as the voice of the redheaded Mandalorian on Star Wars: The Clones Wars before making her live-action appearance in Season 2 and 3 of The Mandalorian. Her appearance delighted not only the young fans at the hospital, but also their families and the fan groups.  

Children hospitalized or receiving medical treatment often experience significant stress and anxiety, negatively impacting their physical and emotional well-being, which is why we are proud to have a longstanding relationship with Starlight, which offers its innovative programs – including Toy Deliveries and Starlight Gowns – free of charge to child life teams at its healthcare partners nationwide.  

This program is part of Disney’s global mission to support children’s hospitals and pediatric places of care. In 2018, Disney announced a global commitment of $100 million to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals. Other efforts include transforming hospital spaces with interactive murals and digital equipment featuring mesmerizing Disney content and familiar characters; creating personalized moments by delivering Disney-themed Starlight hospital wear, care packages, and products; providing engaging content via complimentary access to Disney+ and other digital content; and supporting children’s hospital staff through specially-designed training classes and staff badges globally. This work builds on a legacy of support for kids and families that started in the 1930s when Walt Disney first began visiting hospitalized children.  

To learn more about this collaboration, visit Starlight.org/StarWars.