What happens when a special friend goes missing at Holtz Children’s Hospital? An all-hands-on-deck, top to bottom search commences!
Meet Aaron Palomino Vanguela — a brave 5-year-old patient battling leukemia — and his beloved stuffed dog, Bingo.
Last week, Bingo went missing during a routine laundry change at the hospital. While the Child Life team quickly offered Aaron a replacement, it just wasn’t the same. Bingo was more than a toy — he was a friend, and a source of comfort and courage during Aaron’s treatment.
That’s when our staff sprang into action. Nurse Administrator in charge Chris Ocasio rallied nurses, administrators, and staff to search every cart until Bingo was found.
After a hospital-wide search, Bingo was recovered, carefully sanitized with glowing blue-light treatment, and given an extra dose of “magic.” Aaron’s parents told him Bingo had gone on a special medical journey of his own — and returned even stronger, with brand-new superpowers, including a tiny superhero cape.
Watch the video and see the reunion! Of course it was full of joy, hugs, and a few happy tears — a small but powerful reminder that every act of compassion can make a world of difference for young patients and their families.