Project Elf spreads cheer to those spending Christmas week in the hospital

CHARLOTTE — Nobody wants to be in the hospital during the holiday season, but some don’t have a choice.

It’s why this week, some patients are getting a warm holiday greeting from special visitors to try to cheer them up.

More than a decade ago, “Project Elf” started spreading cheer at Novant Health the week of Christmas. Monday, Channel 9′s Hunter Sáenz tagged along and found the greatest gift likely wasn’t the one handed to patients.

The beeps of machines - give a hint to the life-saving work being done.

Those battling cancer -- sit resting -- infusions underway at Novant Health Cancer Institute -- even this Christmas week. But look closely and you’ll spot some of Santa’s helpers spreading Christmas cheer to patients going through a lot this special time of year.

“It’s overwhelming, just the season in general is overwhelming and then to add this to it,” said Randi Jarrell, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer a month ago. “The first thing that went through my mind was, I’m not gonna make it, and who’s going to take care of my autistic daughter.”

She’s on a seven-week chemo and radiation treatment plan. That puts her in this clinic daily - even this holiday week.

“I’d like to be at home with my daughter doing Christmas stuff,” she said.

It hasn’t felt like Christmas for her or for many of these patients. That was until these elves showed up from “Project Elf” and paid them a visit with gifts, blankets and snacks in tow.

We bring the bag close and you choose!” Dina Blazek said. “Hopefully, we’re giving them a little pause in cancer, and we’re giving them a little Christmas.”

Blazek helps run the volunteer program.

“It’s it’s such a moving experience. Sometimes songs break out. Sometimes there’s caroling, sometimes there’s tears, sometimes there’s prayers and there’s just telling the story and giving everybody a little bit of hope and a little bit of pause from cancer during Christmas,” she said.

It started more than a decade ago with ovarian cancer survivor Sharon Grammer.

She had started chemo the week of Christmas when she was 47 years old. She passed away in 2019, but Blazek and Keesha Carter, a cancer survivor herself, carry on the mission.

“It helps them make a connection with someone who might understand what they’re going through

You see -- many of these elves are also cancer survivors.

“Knowing that someone is standing here 15 years later after going through what I’m going through - that means I’m going to be standing here 15 years watching my daughter get married and do all those things that she’s supposed to be doing. So that made me feel really good.”

If you’d like to get involved, you can volunteer or learn how to donate by emailing projectelf@scawinc.org.

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