For RT Tarah Edgar, Christmas at Bethany Children’s holds special meaning

Christmas is a season of joy at Bethany Children's Health Center, and as it approaches, we pause to express our heartfelt gratitude to our donors. Your incredible generosity makes this time of year truly special for our patients and their families. For those with hospitalized children, finding hope while being away from home is essential. At Bethany Children’s, we embrace the promise of the season, anchored in the birth of Jesus Christ.

For Respiratory Therapist, Tarah Edgar, Christmas at Bethany Children’s holds special meaning.
When Tarah was expecting her daughter, Kaylee, she envisioned a future filled with the joys of a typical childhood. However, Kaylee was born with an extremely rare congenital disorder that left her unable to move or breathe on her own. Given little hope of survival, Kaylee was referred to Bethany Children’s Health Center for the specialized care her complex medical condition required.
Accepting the reality of Kaylee’s condition was incredibly challenging, and moving her to Bethany Children’s felt like a sudden detour from the life Tarah had dreamed of for her daughter. Yet, her perspective began to shift once they arrived.

“Once we got here, everything changed,” Tarah reflects. “I started to see God moving through the people who work here. They showed so much love and kindness to the kids. It gave me so much joy.”

The therapies and care Kaylee received allowed her personality to shine, enabling Tarah to connect with her in meaningful ways. “It brought me so much joy to see how happy she was—showing us that she was enjoying life. Those moments were so precious to us,” Tarah shares.
Tarah fondly recalls the festive spirit of Christmas at Bethany Children’s, with holiday decorations, visits from Santa, and gifts for every patient. One cherished memory is a handprint artwork created by staff, capturing a piece of Kaylee’s joy during the season.

Seeing the community rally around the Hospital through donations of gifts warmed Tarah’s heart. She was deeply moved by the generosity of the community.

“It’s such a God-given gift when people share their heart, their finances, or their time—whether it’s volunteers reading to the kids or donors giving,” she explains. “They probably don’t know the impact they’re making on this Hospital, these kids, and their families. I can’t imagine the gratitude all these families feel. It’s such a blessing to be on the receiving end of that.”

Kaylee thrived during her two years at Bethany Children’s, experiencing joy, learning, and exceptional care. She passed away in 2016, but her life left an indelible mark on Tarah and her family.

Inspired by her daughter’s journey, Tarah pursued a career as a Respiratory Therapist and now commutes from Perry, Oklahoma, to care for patients at Bethany Children’s—just as so many once cared for Kaylee.

“It’s full-circle, for sure,” Tarah says. “To be on the other side of that and to give back just a little of what was given to our family—it’s an honor.”

Christmas at Bethany Children’s Health Center is a celebration of love, hope, and generosity. The Joy of Christmas campaign invites the community to help create memories for patients. These gifts provide more than joy—they offer a sense of normalcy and love for each child.

We invite you to support our patients this holiday season by making a year-end gift or selecting items from our wish lists curated by staff to meet their needs. Together, we can ensure that every child experiences the wonder of the holidays, no matter their challenges.

https://www.bethanychildrens.org