Terminally Ill 5-Year-Old Gets His Last Christmas Wish Before Dying in Santa’s Arms

3.8TransAM · Dec 12, 2016

Terminally Ill 5-Year-Old Gets His Last Christmas Wish Before Dying in Santa’s Arms

This year, veteran Santa Claus portrayer Eric Schmitt-Matzen was the one with tears in his eyes as he helped one special little boy in his final moments of life.

Schmitt-Matzen, who portrays the jolly man in the red suit every year for dozens of events, recently answered the call to visit a terminally ill child in the hospital just before his death, he told the Knoxville News Sentinel.

“ said there was a very sick 5-year-old boy who wanted to see Santa Claus,” the 60-year-old told the Sentinel about the request to visit the boy at a nearby hospital. “I told her, ‘Okay, just let me change into my outfit.’ She said, ‘There isn’t time for that. Your Santa suspenders are good enough. Come right now.’ ”

Upon arrival just 15 minutes later, the little boy’s mother gave Schmitt-Matzen a gift to give to her son. “I sized up the situation and told everyone, ‘If you think you’re going to lose it, please leave the room. If I see you crying, I’ll break down and can’t do my job,’ ” he explained to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Schmitt-Matzen entered the hospital’s intensive care unit, and sat down on the boy’s bed, asking, ” ‘Say, what’s this I hear about you’re gonna miss Christmas? There’s no way you can miss Christmas! Why, you’re my Number One elf!’ ”

“I gave him the present,” Schmitt-Matzen said. “He was so weak he could barely open the wrapping paper. When he saw what was inside, he flashed a big smile and laid his head back down.”

Then, the child asked, ” ‘They say I’m gonna die. How can I tell when I get to where I’m going?’ ”

In response, Schmitt-Matzen told the child, ” ‘When you get there, you tell ’em you’re Santa’s Number One elf, and I know they’ll let you in.’ ”

The two shared a hug, and the little boy asked, ” ‘Santa, can you help me?’ ”

“I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could say anything, he died right there. I let him stay, just kept hugging and holding on to him,” Schmitt-Matzen explained. “Everyone outside the room realized what happened. His mother ran in. She was screaming, ‘No, no, not yet!’ I handed her son back and left as fast as I could.”

RELATED VIDEO: Sick Kids Fly to The North Pole to Meet Santa

The devastating moment shook Schmitt-Matzen, he admitted.

“I cried all the way home,” Schmitt-Matzen told the newspaper. “I was crying so hard, I had a tough time seeing good enough to drive.” He added, “Actually, I thought I might crack up and never be able to play the part again.”

Though, one more show helped him realize the importance of bringing joy to children.

“When I saw all those children laughing, it brought me back into the fold. It made me realize the role I have to play,” Schmitt-Matzen said. “For them and for me.”
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Seeker · Dec 12, 2016

This was just heartbreaking.

grimlock1972 · Dec 12, 2016

Damn I think he handled that a lot better than i could have. I am sure i would have totally lost it when the lad died in my arms if i was lucky i'd have made it out of the room before i broke down and cried my eyes out.

Starscream 91 · Dec 12, 2016

Aw, thats so sad.

plastic therapy · Dec 12, 2016

Read this earlier today. Glad the young one got some comfort at the end like that.

ABH1979 · Dec 12, 2016

Yeah, read that earlier.

It was increasingly harder to read as I went on, because my eyes were welling up so much...

I'm glad he didn't give up on being Santa.

JaZzPrImE74 · Dec 12, 2016

Why can't there be a cure for all diseases? This is heart braking man....

KA · Dec 12, 2016

prfctcellrulz · Dec 13, 2016

Mr JackatooTM · Dec 13, 2016

I'm literally about to cry right now. This is so sad...

Big Bronze Rim · Dec 13, 2016

Wow, that just brought tears to my eyes.

Electro Rush · Dec 13, 2016

Try not to cry... try... not... to... cry...

JoshFinn · Dec 13, 2016

Wow wow Op I did not wan't too read that almost moved me too tears, god bless Eric Schmitt-Matzen for being there for that kid

Belgrath · Dec 13, 2016

Dang, soooooo sad

Waverider · Dec 13, 2016

Here is the original source of the story. I find it more emotional. The two videos with the page really did it for me.

http://www.knoxnews.com/story/enter...sam-venable-santa-grants-final-wish/95091356/

Honorbound · Dec 13, 2016

Oh, God, I don't even know what to say...

Purple Heart · Dec 14, 2016

A hero.

Tekkaman Blade · Dec 14, 2016

Yeah I was reading about this the other day. For a kid there is nothing better than seeing Santa. I hope that at the end it made him feel good.

alldarker · Dec 14, 2016

Yup, this made me tear up...
I do feel sorry for the mother who wasn't with her boy at the moment of his passing, but who was only watching from outside the room...

allew · Dec 14, 2016

Not to be a grinch (it was very sad story) but for now, because the original newspaper that published the story cannot verify the story, it is currently saying it's "no longer standing by the veracity" of Schmitt-Matzen's account:

Story of Santa Clause with dying child can't be verified

No one has been able to confirm the 'boy dies in Santa's arms' viral story

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Terminally Ill 5-Year-Old Gets His Last Christmas Wish Before Dying in Santa’s Arms

3.8TransAM Banned

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JoshFinn Getting real sick of your shit starscream

Belgrath Boom! Nutshot!

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Honorbound Taking a break.

Purple Heart Some other time..

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Terminally Ill 5-Year-Old Gets His Last Christmas Wish Before Dying in Santa’s Arms

3.8TransAM Banned

Seeker Time Lord

grimlock1972 Optimus, serving up the primest of ribs since 1984

Starscream 91 Mech With A Mouth

plastic therapy Banned

ABH1979 Veteran

JaZzPrImE74 Sub to my YT Supreme J

KA Well-Known Member

prfctcellrulz Pokémon Trainer/WWE Champion

Mr JackatooTM I'm a Colossal boi

Big Bronze Rim Moderator

Electro Rush Just a guy waiting for the perfect Whirl

JoshFinn Getting real sick of your shit starscream

Belgrath Boom! Nutshot!

Waverider Supreme Dude

Honorbound Taking a break.

Purple Heart Some other time..

Tekkaman Blade Professor of Animation

alldarker M.A.S.K. Crusader

allew Well-Known Member

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