'DWTS' Derek Hough surprises sick kids for Halloween

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- This Halloween, 8-year-old Marissa Noriega had to stay in the hospital.

"I'm sad... because I won't be trick or treating," Noriega said.

She couldn't hit the candy trail, but she did get something to make her smile. "Dancing With The Stars" coach Derek Hough paid her a visit at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. He helped deliver more than 16,000 Halloween cards sent to patients from people all over the world.

"Just a little message to our patients and we deliver them so our kids get some love from the outside," said Amanda Brown, a child life specialist at Children's Hospital.

Hough had one 4-year-old cackling up a storm. Down the hall, he gave 16-year-old Kai Jack an impromptu dance lesson.

"I could see that she was mobile enough," Hough said. "It's Halloween. I want these kids to feel excited and to have a good day."

Not just that, when Jack mentioned Hough's "Dancing With The Stars" partner Bethany Mota, he got her on the phone.

For Jack, seeing all the cards and meeting Derek was the best Halloween treat of all.

"To meet a celebrity and just do that was the best thing in the world. He made my hospital visit so much better," Jack said.