I am thankful for the hospital. I have spent a lot of time there since I got brain cancer. The hospital has helped me to get better.

Love,

Andrew

Andrew, who will participate in the lighting ceremony for the annual Festival of Trees, is just one of many children who have been recently helped by Primary Children's Medical Center.

Mara Robinette's story also shows the hospital's legacy of care.

In 1985, Mara was born 10 1/2 weeks early, weighing only 2 pounds, 3 ounces. In those days, it was even more difficult for a premature child to live without serious complications. Despite the fact that Mara's parents were students and could not afford medical care, Mara spent months at Primary Children's, often hooked up to a breathing machine. Mara not only survived, but she experienced no complications. Mara's bill came to more than $90,000, but the hospital's charity care covered all but $5,000. Today Mara is about to graduate from the University of Utah and is engaged to be married.

For 85 years, Primary Children's Medical Center has served children from the Intermountain area without regard to race, religion or ability to pay. For years Mara's aunt, Lu Jean Morgan, has been decorating and donating a tree to the festival.

"You don't go very far without finding someone whose life has been touched by the great care the hospital provides," says Robyn Austin, chairwoman of this year's Festival of Trees.

For the past 38 years, the annual festival has been a way for the community to give back to the hospital, to help ensure that it can continue with its mission of service, says Austin. "What is so wonderful is that every penny that is collected goes to Primary Children's Medical Center. With the way the economy is going, charity care is going to be more important than ever. We're hopeful that we will get the support from the community that we have had in the past."

Each year, the festival tends to get bigger and more magical, says Austin.

Back when the festival first started, 60 trees were on display, set up in the old Armory on Sunnyside Avenue. This year, the forest will include more than 800 trees, spread out more than 220,000 square feet of display space at the South Towne Expo Center.

That first year, the event raised $47,000. Last year, more than $1,604,021.64 was raised for children in need. "Every penny," Austin reiterates, "every single penny goes to the hospital."

That's because everything is donated, she says. The trees are decorated and purchased by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and church groups. Items are donated to fill the Gift Boutique, the Sweet Shoppe, the Gingerbread Village and other shops. Businesses provide the paper and printing of posters and tickets. Corporations offer their trucks and drivers to help deliver the trees. And thousands of people donate countless hours of time to make it all come together.