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Disney and Pixar share Toy Story 5 magic with children's hospitals globally. June 21, 2026 Some posts may contain affiliate links which means its team could earn money if you purchase products from its site. Disney and Pixar launch Global Toy Story 5 initiative for children's hospitals. With Toy Story 5 officially hitting theaters, The Walt Disney Company is making sure the celebration extends far beyond the big screen. In true Disney fashion, they are using the massive launch of the beloved franchise to bring an incredible dose of hope, joy, and comfort to young patients and their families in children's hospitals around the globe. Disney is partnering with major charitable organizations and brands to transform the hospital experience into a world of imagination. Here is a breakdown of how the magic of Woody, Buzz, and the gang is being delivered directly to the kids who need it most. Disney's outreach spans multiple continents, combining exclusive movie screenings, interactive tech, and special gear for patients and caregivers alike. * 400+ Hospitals Reached: Immersive experiences and screenings are hitting more than 400 children's hospitals globally, including over 300 across the United States. * Starlight Partnership: Continuing a 25-year collaboration, Disney is working with the Starlight Children's Foundation to deliver custom Toy Story-themed hospital gowns featuring Woody, Jessie, and Buzz. * Disney Movie Moments: Patients and their families get a front-row seat to exclusive screenings of Toy Story 5 right inside the hospital while the film is still playing in theaters. * Global Character Tour: Across Europe, a dedicated character tour is stopping at 10 children's hospitals in 9 countries. Meanwhile, in Asia, characters are celebrating the opening of a brand-new, Pixar-themed care space at Shenzhen Children's Hospital. The magic officially kicked off back on June 9 at the film's star-studded Los Angeles premiere. Disney set up a special digital installation called the "Star Command Message Transmission." Premiere attendees and the stars of the movie wrote heartfelt messages to young patients, which are now being broadcast at select hospital activations nationwide. One of the major highlights of this initiative took place on June 16 at Children's National in Washington, D.C. The hospital was transformed into a "Toy Story Imagination Station," featuring: * A life-size interactive "Lilypad" activation (themed after the franchise's new character). * In-person meet-and-greets with Woody and Jessie. * Live drawing sessions hosted by real Pixar animators. * An exclusive early screening of the film. A celebration this big wouldn't be complete without some incredible toys. The Disney Store joined forces with major licensees like Mattel and LeapFrog to provide massive product donations at these hospital events. Kids were able to pick out their very own Woody, Buzz, and Jessie action figures, Disney Store plushies, and LeapFrog toy tablets inspired by Lilypad. Disney didn't forget about the hardworking healthcare heroes, either! Hospital caregivers at these events received specially designed, Toy Story 5-themed footwear from the medical footwear brand Clove to keep them comfortable on their shifts. "At Disney, we have so many incredible stories and characters that our guests around the world have a deep emotional connection to," said Lisa Haines, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at The Walt Disney Company. "Moments like the release of Toy Story 5 offer an opportunity to turn that connection into hope and joy for kids and their families when they need it most." It is clear that over 30 years after the original movie captured its hearts, the Toy Story franchise is still doing what it does best: teaching Chip and Co the true meaning of friendship and being there for one another. Get all the best Disney News and more, straight to your inbox! For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow Chip and Co on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Let its friends at Get Away Today help you book your next Disney or Universal Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who Chip and Co use ourselves. Previous articleReopening Date Announced for Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland Next articleLive-Action Moana Tracking for Strong $85 Million Opening Weekend Sara http://chipandco.com Living in Alaska with her husband and three kids, Sara has mastered the art of the "winter escape." To trade the snow for sunshine, she and her family are constantly on the move, with Disney parks and resorts serving as their favorite home-away-from-home. Having navigated countless Disney trips, she is dedicated to helping other families skip the stress and dive straight into the magic of a perfectly planned vacation. RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR Live-Action Moana Tracking for Strong $85 Million Opening Weekend Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground and Disney Developing Animated Fantasy Series Multiverse Collision! Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Takes Over Disney Store Times Square!

Starlight Children's Foundation Partners with Crayola and Red Games Co. - Crayola Create & Play

How play is helping children face the anxiety of an MRI. Before a child enters an MRI scanner at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Sasha Alexander, wants them to understand what is about to happen. Alexander, who is a clinical research coordinator II at the Stanford University School of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery, works with young patients to reduce the anxiety that often accompanies advanced imaging, an effort that can lessen the need for anesthesia or sedation. "I'm really passionate about pediatric neuroimaging and committed to translating research into more proactive and accessible care," Alexander says. Her approach relies on preparation rather than reassurance alone. Through the nonprofit Starlight Children's Foundation collaboration with the LEGO Group, Packard Children's received 20 LEGO(R) MRI Scanner models to introduce a play-based kit designed to help children rehearse the experience of an MRI - which Alexander uses in scans used in cerebrovascular evaluations. For many children, the procedure can feel overwhelming: the machine is loud, the space is confined, and remaining completely still can be difficult. The model is a scaled-down set that mirrors the real equipment. Complete with a scanner, patient bed, waiting area, minifigures and medical accessories, the set invites children to explore the process through play. As they assemble the model and act out the procedure, children become familiar with the experience they will encounter, while the care team encourages questions and conversation. Child Life Specialists at Packard Children's Hospital, who focus on the advocacy for and emotional well-being of hospitalized children, use the model during pre-scan preparation. The sessions are structured but informal, allowing children to engage at their own pace. By the time they reach the imaging suite, the machine is no longer an unknown, and for some patients, that familiarity makes sedation unnecessary. "It's inspiring to hear how our hospital collaborators help improve the well-being of children through Starlight's play-based programs," said Adam Garone, CEO of Starlight Children's Foundation. "When kids are happier and more engaged with their care teams, they're better positioned for healing and recovery." "The Stanford team has been advancing practical neuroimaging innovations that make scans faster, safer and more clinically useful for children, while also improving their quality of life," Alexander said. The work, she added, reflects a broader shift toward designing care around the needs of pediatric patients, not just the demands of technology. At Packard Children's Hospital, the models are available to patients by request through the Child Life and Creative Arts Department, where specialists tailor the experience to each child's age, developmental level and medical needs. The kits are often introduced days before a scheduled scan, allowing children time to process what they will encounter. Alexander is also producing a short film and developing a children's book based on her own methodologies aimed at raising awareness about pediatric health disparities and the role that preparation and education can play in addressing them. Both projects are intended to encourage broader community involvement and to illustrate how small interventions can have a lasting impact on children's experiences of medical care.