TACOMA, Wash. — For many children facing serious illness or injury, time in the Nail Fairy of Mary Bridge children’s hospital can feel endless. The sterile environment of Mary Bridge hospital, the daily routines of tests and treatments, and the discomfort of medical procedures can often overshadow the smiles, laughter, and happiness that once filled their days. But at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, one special volunteer has spent the past decade turning those long hospital stays into moments of joy and color.
Meet Martina Ngo, also known as the “Nail Fairy.” Ngo, 34, has been bringing magic to the children of Mary Bridge by painting their nails and giving them temporary tattoos. What sets her apart from other volunteers is her unique approach—she’s the only one at the hospital who wears fairy wings and tutus while volunteering. This whimsical outfit, paired with her infectious smile and heartwarming personality, has made Ngo a beloved figure at the hospital.
For Ngo, volunteering is more than just painting nails—it’s about making a meaningful impact on the lives of children who are battling some of the most difficult health challenges. “I want to be magic,” she said. “Some kids are stuck here for 90 days sometimes, and I want to bring a little bit of joy, a little bit of brightness into their world.”
The Nail Fairy of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital: A Routine of Healing and Hope
Being a child in the hospital can be a grueling experience. The medical staff becomes a familiar presence, and often, the routine of visits from doctors, nurses, and specialists can feel monotonous. But when Ngo walks into a room, she’s not just another person in scrubs—she’s a spark of something different, something that lifts the spirits of the children and their families.
As she arrives at the child’s room, Ngo carries a large selection of nail polishes—hundreds of colors, shades, and glitter options. Each child gets to choose the colors they want for their nails, often with help from their parents. It’s a simple act, but it brings a sense of normalcy and excitement to kids who have been confined to a hospital bed for weeks or months.
“There’s a routine that sets in during long hospital stays—the same staff, the same pokes and prods. I’m different,” said Ngo. “They get more excited because there’s a new face.” This novelty is crucial, as it helps the children escape, even if just for a moment, from the weight of their illness.
One of Ngo’s most memorable recent encounters was with a four-year-old girl named Madison Harrold. Madison, who was lying in her hospital bed surrounded by medical equipment, suddenly lit up when Ngo entered the room. Madison quickly chose five different colors of nail polish for her nails, excitedly telling Ngo that one of the shades—purple—was her father’s favorite color.
“I like the sparkle ones,” Madison said, picking out glitter polish for all her nails. “My mom likes the sparkle ones too.”
For Madison’s family, Ngo’s visit was a welcome distraction from the overwhelming situation they were facing. “It is not a fun thing, to come to the hospital,” Madison’s mother, Patricia, said. “But you know what? To have little bright spots in the middle of two really hard days matters. Doesn’t it, Sage?”
Sage, Madison’s older sister, also took part in the nail-painting session, choosing a blue-green color theme for her nails that Ngo lovingly referred to as a “mermaid design.” Madison’s mom, Patricia, also picked a complementary purple for her nails.
“It’s just something that makes them feel like kids again,” Patricia explained. “It’s those little things that really help.”
The Nail Fairy’s Origins: A Tacoma Business Owner’s Giving Heart
Ngo’s path to becoming the Nail Fairy at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital started when she opened Charme Natural Nails Studio in Tacoma’s Proctor District. She quickly noticed that many of her clients were parents of children who visited Mary Bridge, some of whom worked at the hospital. Ngo, who has always believed in giving back to her community, decided to combine her love of nails with her desire to help others.
“I wanted to do something a little different,” Ngo said. “I told Lou Ann League, the hospital’s child life coordinator, that I’d love to volunteer, but I wanted to bring something special. Nail polish seemed like a small thing, but I wasn’t sure if it would be allowed.”
Fortunately, the hospital agreed that nail polish could be used to bring joy to the kids, and Ngo’s volunteer work began. At first, she would visit the hospital twice a month, bringing with her an assortment of nail polishes in a variety of colors. If her visit coincided with a Seattle Seahawks game, Ngo would wear her blue-and-green fairy wings and tutus, adding even more whimsy to her visits.
Over time, Ngo’s volunteer work grew, and the children and families began to look forward to her visits. “Some of the kids would be in for a long haul, and I’d get to know the families,” she recalled. “It wasn’t just about painting nails; it was about building relationships. I became part of their journey.”
A Family Tradition of Support and Healing
For some families, Ngo’s presence became a comforting part of their hospital routine. Take, for example, the Wood family from Olympia. Dan and Lara Wood both have type 1 diabetes, a condition that they were diagnosed with as children. When their daughter, Sage, started showing signs of excessive thirst, the couple immediately recognized the symptoms and rushed her to Mary Bridge, where doctors confirmed that Sage also had type 1 diabetes.
“That’s probably the hardest part,” Dan said. “It’s one thing for us to manage our condition, but when it’s your own child, it changes everything.”
The Woods were relieved, however, to find a small moment of brightness during their time at the hospital, and that brightness came in the form of Ngo’s visit. Sage picked out a blue-green nail design that she referred to as “mermaid” nails, while her mom, Lara, chose a complementary purple. For the Woods, it was more than just a manicure—it was an opportunity for Sage to feel like a regular kid again, even in the face of a serious health condition.
Ngo’s visit made a profound impact on the Woods family. “Distractions like this really make a difference,” Dan said. “Any little thing to take their mind off the situation, it helps.”
The Power of Giving Back: Making a Lasting Impact
For Ngo, the act of painting nails is not just about the art of manicures. It’s about creating a sense of normalcy and joy for children who are facing unimaginable challenges. “I just want to show up, bring some joy, paint some nails,” she said. “But it’s become something much bigger than I could have ever imagined.”
Ngo is also committed to making sure her visits are sustainable. She regularly posts on social media, requesting donations of new, unopened bottles of nail polish to keep her work going. “So many packages came to my UPS box, the staff lady thought I had a shopping issue!” Ngo laughed.
Her efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of the children she serves. “It’s become a mission,” she said. “It’s about giving back, making kids smile, and making a real difference, even if just for a moment.”
The Lasting Legacy of the Nail Fairy
As Ngo continues to volunteer at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, she has seen her young clients grow and overcome their challenges. Some have battled childhood cancer and won, and many have made remarkable strides in their recovery. One 3-year-old girl even told Ngo that when she grows up, she wants to be the “Nail Fairy,” just like her.
For Ngo, that moment was the ultimate reward. “To me, that was the most amazing thing,” she said. “It means that the impact I’ve had is real, and it’s something that stays with them.”
Despite the challenges and the emotional toll that volunteering in a children’s hospital can take, Ngo remains dedicated to bringing light into the lives of the kids she serves. “It’s a small thing, but it matters,” she said. “And that’s why I keep coming back.”
In a world that often feels dark and uncertain, Martina Ngo, the Nail Fairy, continues to make magic happen every day, one colorful nail at a time.