Santa visits children at UNM Children's Hospital

Siena Valerio said she would like more Barbie dolls from Santa Claus to add to her growing collection, and the 6-year-old girl is a virtual lock to get the gifts she wants, being that she’s a favorite of Father Christmas.

Siena, a patient fighting off the cancer neuroblastoma, was one of roughly a dozen kids at the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital who got to greet Santa and receive early presents from the man bedecked with a white beard and boasting a big belly on Friday.

He made a rare trip to Albuquerque to visit with the children at the very top of his Nice List and to indulge in his second favorite food — green chile — before gearing up for his busiest day of the year.

“The fact that they have a special guest come visit them when they don’t have a choice if they’re in the hospital or not is just so meaningful, not only for the patients but for the families,” said Ana Bacon, director of the Child Life program at UNM Children’s Hospital. “The kids just light up when they see Santa.”

Indeed, the children at UNM lit up on Friday as Santa brought in his bag of goodies filled with stuffed animals and blankets — gifts he brought to them for having big hearts and strong wills. They told him what they wanted for Christmas and took photos with him as they sat on his lap or near his side.

Jasmine Brown, 11, received a “Star Wars” blanket — though she’s not a fan, she admitted — from Santa. Asked what she wants for Christmas, she kept it simple.

“Books,” she said, referring to her list. “Horror and murder-mystery.”

Some children met Santa for the first time, including 1-year-old Clarice Lopez of Taos, who was frightened by the jolly ol’ man’s appearance.

“We knew that was going to happen,” said her mom, Janette Lopez, with a smile. “Today was her first day of chemo, so we made sure she came to see Santa.”