Three years ago, Laila Pettigrew had a kidney transplant at Nebraska Medicine – Nebraska Medical Center. Three weeks ago, her new kidney started to fail. The 13-year-old traveled from Pine Ridge, South Dakota to begin dialysis treatments. Three days a week, for three hours, Laila’s hooked up to the dialysis machine. Luckily, she has a new instrument to keep her busy.

The Ukulele Kids Club Inc. recently donated five ukuleles to Nebraska Medicine’s music therapy program. Music therapist Jessie Habluetzel Fluke has been teaching pediatric patients how to use them. Patients who truly benefit from the ukuleles are also able to take the instrument home. Once the hospital runs out of ukuleles, it will be put back on the waiting list for more.

Laila was eager to learn “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers – one of her favorite songs.