MIAMI, FL — Chewbacca, Han Solo’s faithful Wookiee co-pilot; Darth Vader, the feared Dark Lord of the Sith; and Wicket, the cuddly Ewok journeyed to Miami Children’s Hospital on August 22 to distribute gifts and visit the children.
Normally, they live in a galaxy far, far away, but for 12 days this summer, three of the most beloved characters from the Star Wars saga are touring the United States on a classic road trip … including a daylong stop in Miami and Miami Children’s Hospital.
“The visit was out of this world; a wonderfully memorable experience for the children,” said Cynthia Gutierrez-White, Hospital spokesperson.
Photo #1 - Bradley Cross, 17 years old, with Chewbacca and Darth Vader.
Photos: #2 - Alex Gilardi, 14 years old, with Chewbacca.
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Founded in 1950, Miami Children's Hospital is the only licensed specialty hospital for children in South Florida. Ranked Miami–Dade County’s “Best Pediatric Hospital” by South Florida Parenting Magazine, Miami Children's Hospital offers medical care and services for children from birth to age 21. The 268-bed medical facility has expertise in all aspects of pediatric medicine.
About Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Where Your Child Matters Most ™ (2025)
Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's #1 nonprofit, freestanding specialty licensed hospital exclusively for children. With more than 850 physicians, including over 500 pediatric subspecialists, the hospital and its network of outpatient centers and offices serve close to 70 percent of children in the Miami market. The only "where your child matters most™,” Nicklaus Children's is home to the region's most advanced Kenneth C. Griffin Surgical Tower, and its centers of excellence Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, the Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedics, Sports Health and Spine Institute, Nicklaus Children’s Brain Institute and Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute. The Nicklaus Children's Hospital's Transfer Center, Nick4Kids, and LifeFlight are responsible for transporting and saving close to 5,000 lives a year. Our 325-bed hospital, which is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, has many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. Nicklaus Children's is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.