It was all smiles and bunny ears in Bayside as Nick Cannon hopped into St. Mary’s Hospital for Children, donning a full Easter Bunny costume to surprise young patients on Wednesday, April 16.
The children of St. Mary’s Hospital for Children were treated to an Easter “Egg-stravaganza” filled with festive surprises, including Easter basket gifts and a special visit from Cannon. During the event, which was organized by his nonprofit organization, the Zen’s Light Foundation, Cannon posed for photos and shared joyful moments with patients.
“Events like this bring so much joy and excitement for the patients, families and staff, and it also gives them a chance to create memories and a day of normalcy, so we really appreciate all of Nick Cannon’s support for St. Mary’s,” said Carla Cangemi, St. Mary’s chief medical officer.
Cannon—an actor, comedian, rapper, and television host—has been a regular supporter of St. Mary’s Hospital for Children, located at 29-01 216th St., where he also serves on the board of directors. The annual Easter celebration is part of the ongoing efforts of the Zen’s Light Foundation, which Cannon and Alyssa Scott founded in loving memory of their son Zen, who passed away from brain cancer at just five months old. The foundation is dedicated to supporting children and families affected by illness through uplifting events, resources, and advocacy focused on childhood diseases, including cancer.
For Cannon, the event offered a deeply meaningful opportunity to connect with the children of St. Mary’s Hospital, many of whom are living with medically complex conditions—and served as a heartfelt reminder of the everyday blessings we often take for granted.
“I’ve been coming here for over a decade—even before I had kids,” said Cannon. “For me, it always puts things into proper perspective. To whom much is given, much is required. Seeing what these families go through, how amazing they are, and how they still do it all with smiles—it’s my duty to help at this point.”
The event included fun activities for the children, like arts and crafts, Easter baskets, and, of course, a special photo op with the Easter bunny. It provided an afternoon of fun and good spirits for everyone at the hospital, from the kids and their families to the nurses, caretakers, and physicians who work tirelessly every day to provide great care and support to the hospital’s patients.
“Nick Cannon has been a supporter of St. Mary’s for a while, and we are grateful to be able to offer continued partnership with his foundation,” said Cangemi. “You can see his presence brings joy and excitement to everyone. We’re also grateful to public figures who visit, like Nick, just to bring awareness of the special services we provide at St Mary’s for this population and the community.”
St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital has been in the Queens community since 1870. Since its inception, the facility has been one of the only primary providers of long-term and rehabilitative care for critically sick and injured children. The center provides state-of-the-art intensive rehabilitation, specialized care, and information to assist children with special needs and other serious medical conditions.
For more information or to learn about volunteering opportunities, visit their website here.
