MORRISTOWN, NJ - On Wednesday May 4, the Goryeb Children's Hospital celebrated 'May the 4th Be With You' Day (May 4, 2016) by inviting Star Wars characters to come and cheer up some of the hospital's toughest fighters. Two Storm Troopers along with a Tie Pilot and a Rebel Pilot stormed the hospital hoping to bring smiles and cheer to the hospital's pediatric wing.

Patients who felt well enough came down to the playroom for cupcakes, coloring books, crayons and action figures. Patients got a chance to talk to the characters and take pictures with them. Lucas Jensen,4, has been coming to the hospital since he was seven months old. Although he hasn't seen any of the Star Wars movies himself, he was still excited to see the characters. Kristen, Lucas' mom, smiled seeing his excitement. "He's excited because Star Wars is his Dad's favorite movie".

Another huge fan is nine year old Malaki Thomas. He brought his framed Star Wars poster from home, which reads...May the Force be with you...Malaki.

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"I like the storm troopers," said Malaki as he sat in the playroom making his own light saver out of glow sticks and popsicle sticks.

"If it's Star Wars, he loves them," said Malaki's mom Debbie. "He has every Lego Star Wars there is. It's hard for him to be excited right now. He's been having chemo and he's having a pretty bad bout of it this time. On October 18 he found out about his tumor", she continued. "He wasn't upset about the tumor but more that he would be missing out on Halloween. He was going to be a Storm Trooper that year."

Dr, Steven Halpern stopped by the playroom to see the kids smiling and interacting with the Star Wars Characters. "If the kids have to be here (in the hospital), it's important to make is less like a hospital. We try to make it as much fun as possible", he said.

The group continued to spread cheer as they made their way around the halls, waiving to patients as they made their way down to the Valerie Center. The kids weren't the only ones to who had a great time. Doctors and staff members couldn't wait to take pictures with their favorite Star Wars Characters.

"Its fun for us too," said James Hannon, who dressed as the Rebel Pilot. Hannon, along with Bryan Phil, Michael Civitano, and Taylor Goodson are part of the charity organization called 501st Legion: Northeast Remnant. The organization does not charge a fee for performances they just look to "brighten the lives of the less fortunate", especially children.





"We love Star Wars and we get to dress up in goofy costumes and do good for the community. It's good across the board," said Hannon.