30th Annual Children's Hospital Toy Run Brings Holiday Happiness To Patients

By Mark Taylor

DENVER (CBS4) - At only 8-years-old, Kylee Aguilar has had a harsh year. She was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year and is currently battling the illness at Children's Hospital in Aurora.

"It's been pretty hectic, she's been running a fever," said dad Robert Aguilar.

But Sunday morning her smile was as bright as any other 8-year-old. Kylee is one of more than 300 at the hospital this holiday season that will benefit from the Children's Hospital Toy Run.

The annual event brings not only Santa Claus to the hospital, but hundreds of bikers.

"We could not offer this level of service, without this group," Kathleen McBride with Children's Hospital said.

On Dec. 6, the hospital is celebrating 30 years of the annual ride. The motorcyclists come in waves of about 200 and drop off so many gifts that they last through the entire next year.

"Their gifts live on, donations will support initiatives in the playroom and at bedsides throughout the year," McBride said.

Volunteer and School of Mines scholar Marisa LaRouche is volunteering with more than a dozen classmates, singing carols and sorting gifts.

"One of my favorite parts is seeing their faces when we sing a song they know," LaRouche said.

This is her fourth year volunteering with the event. "Making that small of a difference means a lot to us," she said.

After greeting Santa, Kylee said she is not sure what she wants to ask for Christmas. Hopefully it includes a Christmas morning at home.

"We are just waiting for her fever to go down," said her father, as to when Kylee would be healthy enough to return home.

Mark Taylor is a weekend morning anchor and reporter with CBS4 news covering a wide variety of stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkTaylor_TV.