Fremont resident Breanna Hanna, 24, received a special visit from her idol, Darth Vader, during her last day in the PICU of Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Hanna had been in the PICU for 31 days after getting her third heart valve replacement. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Hanna looks up in excitement at Darth Vader during a special visit just for her last day in the PICU of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Darth Vader signs a birthday card for Hanna, who celebrated her 24th birthday in the PICU of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, while her father, Greg Hanna, documents the special visit. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Hanna's room in the PICU has posters of photos of her and her family, and especially her with Darth Vader. The Darth Vader in each photo is the same Darth as the one who visited her in the hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Hanna smiles as Darth Vader signs her Darth Vader-themed birthday card during her special visit. Hanna wore her hair in little buns to resemble Princess Leia from the movie 'Star Wars' and her nurses painted her nails red to prepare for the special visit. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Breanna's father, Greg, shakes Darth Vader's hand to thank him for making a special visit to his daughter. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Hanna looks out her door as her idol leaves. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Darth Vader waves to Hanna as he leaves her room in the PICU. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Darth Vader was most welcome. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Chewbacca from the movie 'Star Wars' takes a break in between visiting with patients during Star Wars Night at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Baldwin resident Jacquan Underwood, 9, looks up at 'Star Wars' character Boba Fett as they visit. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Chewbacca waves to Pewamo resident Lillian Pawlanta, 4, and her mother Mindy. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
'Star Wars' movie characters pose for a photo with Julian Baker, 10, at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Julian was being tested for seizures. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Helen Devos Children's Hospital nurse Laura Kamper poses for a photo with 'Star Wars' character Kylo Ren during Star Wars Night. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
'Star Wars' movie characters wait in between visiting children at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Grand Rapids resident Pamela Crosslan, 15, visits with 'Star Wars' characters in her room at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Aida Maiya Humsberger, 9, holds a card from a storm trooper from the movie 'Star Wars'. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Chewbacca stands in an elevator of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Kylo Ren visits with Grand Rapids resident DeShun Ball, 15, during Star Wars Night. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Chewbacca takes a break and stretches in between visiting with patients. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
A stormtrooper character hands Torch Lake resident Naomi Wilke, 7, his weapon during Star Wars Night at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Recreation activity coordinator Jay Kolk holds open the elevator for 'Star Wars' characters. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Kylo Ren and Chewbacca pretend to argue. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Port Huron resident Seth Sikora, 16, trades in his dart gun with Boba Fett's weapon. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Helen DeVos Children's Hospital environmental services techs Megan Springstead and Morgan Vincent pose with characters from the movie 'Star Wars'. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Characters from the movie 'Star Wars' ride in an elevator at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
But one Star Wars enthusiast was heartbroken—her idol, Darth Vader, couldn’t make it due to some mechanical problems with his TIE Fighter.
Breanna Hanna had prepared for the visit. She had her hair tied up in two buns like Princess Leia, her nails painted red, her favorite Darth Vader shirt on, a fleece Star Wars blanket draped over her lap, and old photos of her and Vader taped on her hospital room door.
“She has grown up watching all the movies and, well, she’s basically in love with Darth Vader,” explained her father, Greg Hanna.
Luckily, Darth was able to make a very special visit just for Breanna the following day.
By the time she got her visit in with Darth, Breanna had spent 31 days in the PICU of Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital after receiving her third heart valve replacement. She’d also spent her 24th birthday in the hospital earlier that week.
As Darth made his way into her room, Breanna lit up with joy. He signed a Darth Vader birthday card for her and handed her his red light saber. The special visit left Breanna with tears in her eyes.
“May the force forever be with you, Princess,” Vader said.
It was a very special day indeed! She is still in PICU and she shares her pictures and video of the visit with everyone! Although the secret may be out that the Dark Side is not so dark! I am so thankful for the 501st Garrison and there willingness to share their time and talents. It has been a blessing for our family! – Bree’s mom
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It was a very special day indeed! She is still in PICU and she shares her pictures and video of the visit with everyone! Although the secret may be out that the Dark Side is not so dark! I am so thankful for the 501st Garrison and there willingness to share their time and talents. It has been a blessing for our family! – Bree’s mom