SAN ANTONIO – There was a virtual gridlock in the hallways of North Central Baptist Hospital on Friday.
Principle Auto Group of San Antonio, owner of MINI of San Antonio, donated four miniature, battery-powered MINI Coopers to the pediatric unit at the hospital.
"MINI's about fun, and we want to bring some fun into their lives," CEO of Principle Auto Group Abigail Kampmann said.
"Can you imagine if you got to drive a car in the hospital? It's like a miniature Disneyland," said pediatrician Dr. Thomas Gowen.
The cars will be used to ease fears of young patients facing surgery. They can cruise the hallways in their free time and drive from the pediatric unit to the surgery center.
"When a child is going into surgery, their stress level is really high, so this is going to help relieve those fears and anxieties," said Kati Dillard, a child life specialist at North Central Baptist Hospital.
Dillard added that it also helped the parents and doctors, knowing that their kids or patients are happy before going into surgery.