LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — Robertsdale pediatric cancer survivor Bryan Wilson, 13, was one of 70 pediatric cancer patients and families visited by Santa Claus at the annual CARTI Kids Christmas Party held Nov. 20 in Little Rock, Ark.

CARTI Kids attending the Christmas party ranged in age from 2-18 years old, coming from all across Arkansas and as far away as Alabama, Missouri and Texas for the celebration. Santa delivered presents to each CARTI Kid and his or her siblings with the assistance of his “elf-for-a-day,” Mrs. Arkansas 2012 Michelle Flake of Little Rock.

Wilson was diagnosed with a Wilm’s Tumor in 2004 at the age of 5 and received treatment at CARTI in Little Rock. A student at Central Baldwin Middle School, he is the son of Patricia and David Wilson of Robertsdale.

CARTI Kids are current and former pediatric cancer patients who serve as a network of support and encouragement to others.

“CARTI is the primary radiation therapy provider in Arkansas for the treatment of pediatric cancer patients,” said Mary Machen, CARTI director of Community Outreach and CARTI Kids program director. “Having the opportunity to bring these young survivors together each year is the best gift we could ever hope to offer the families of those who are going through, or who have gone through, the cancer diagnosis of a child.”

The CARTI Kids Christmas Party is funded by proceeds from the CARTI Kids Golf Classic and the CARTI Kids Memorial Trust Fund. To date, the CARTI Kids Golf Classic has raised over $3 million for CARTI pediatric cancer programs and services.

In addition to the annual Christmas party, CARTI Kids also participate in other CARTI-sponsored activities throughout the year such as summer trips and weekend retreats.

“At the CARTI Kids Christmas Party, we celebrate much more than the holidays,” Machen said. “We celebrate survivorship, and we celebrate life.”

CARTI is a nonprofit cancer care center with facilities located throughout Arkansas in Little Rock on the St. Vincent, Baptist Medical Center and UAMS campuses, and in Conway, Mountain Home, North Little Rock, and Searcy.