May the 4th: Children at AdventHealth Orlando receive a Star Wars gift of hope

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Force was strong this week with patients at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando.

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Ashley Eckstein, an Orlando native who voices the Star Wars character Ahsoka Tano, celebrated May the 4th with children on Thursday.

May the 4th, known as Star Wars Day, pays homage to the famous franchise phrase, “May the force be with you.”

Watch: Q&A with AdventHealth: Children’s mental health

Eckstein also gave the patients a copy of her book “Star Wars Everyday.”

AdventHealth for Children and Heart of Florida United Way is preparing to launch a new youth mental health program, “Be a Mindleader.”

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The movement hopes to encourage children and adults to discuss mental health, reduce stigma and inspire hope.

And Star Wars embodies that value for Eckstein.

“For me personally, Star Wars represents hope,” she said. “And especially if you’re here in the hospital, everyone needs a little bit of hope. When I walk in, and I get to share my love of Star Wars with the patients and just see them light up, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Star Wars: By the Numbers "Star Wars: A New Hope" was released on May 25, 1977. (NCD)

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