Sydney O’Sullivan found herself at Stony Brook Hospital this summer when she was treated for kidney stones. The nine-year-old girl from Holbrook, who had to be treated over three separate visits in the emergency room, was visited by one of Stony Brook’s child life specialists who gave her a toy to take her mind off her hospital stay.

 

That act of kindness inspired O’Sullivan and she decided she would help other kids in the hospital feel the same way. 

 

“Some kids have to be in the hospital for Christmas, so I thought of a way I could spread some holiday cheer,” she said.

 

Photo: Stony Brook Medicine.

 

O’Sullivan decided on a fundraiser to purchase toys to donate to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. She and her mom made chocolate reindeer lollipops to raise the money needed to purchase the toys. According to a press release from Stony Brook Hospital, after posting on social media, she was able to sell over 200 lollipops and raise $600 to purchase nearly 50 toys.

 

Photo: Stony Brook Medicine.

 

On Friday, December 17, O’Sullivan donated a stretcher filled with toys to the children’s hospital. 

 

“I am so proud of her,” said Sydney’s mother Karen O’Sullivan. “She came up with this idea all on her own and is helping a lot of children.”