Dozens of families were able to give their children at true holiday experience on Thursday night to help them put aside their medical fears if even just for a moment.

Kids Cancer Care, an organization that helps families whose children are facing a cancer diagnosis, treated families to a magical trip destined for the North Pole.

Each year, Mossleigh’s Polar Express honours children fighting cancer in Alberta.

Eight-year-old Grace Couldwell was diagnosed with leukemia in May and has been fighting ever since, still playing hockey and going to school.

She has support from friends and family along her journey and they say the event that’s filled with music, characters and lots of hot chocolate, is a great way to forget the worries.

“It kind of lets you get away from the everyday; going to the hospital. Today, she had chemotherapy.” said Nancy Couldwell, Grace’s mom. “It just brings a smile to our faces.”

Santa Claus himself was able to meet the kids when the train got to the North Pole and that’s where he reminded them to believe in themselves and spread the love of the season.

(With files from Stephanie Weibe)