SEATTLE -- A local man has helped generations of kids believe in the magic of Christmas. Now John Hutchins is struggling with cancer, and his daughter is hoping for just one small Christmas miracle.

Hutchins is nearing his final days in his battle against cancer. His wife, Susan Hutchins, is in the hospital, also sick.

Susan's stepdaughter, Ginny Whited, could not sit and watch. She's hoping for a miracle.

"Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to," said Susan.

John spent years of his life putting smiles on kids faces, welcoming them to Santa's lap at Nordstrom and, before that, on the Argosy Christmas Ship.

As a result of the couple's illnesses, the two lost their home and just about everything else. Ginny recently learned just how much her parents have lost.

"She held her hand up and said, 'even my ring is gone!' At that point, I just lost it. And I got to thinking, if I could do anything for her, it would be to get her ring back," Ginny said.

Susan sold her wedding band to Pawn X-Change.

The shop hasn't found the ring yet - it's not clear whether the ring is still at the shop or if someone bought it, but Ginny hasn't given up hope yet. The ring is a gold band with a garnet in the center and baguette diamonds on the sides.

"I would love to see her have it back. That would be my wish," Ginny said.

Ginny has faith, but it may take a Christmas miracle to find that ring.

"If we can get it back, it would be a miracle in my eyes and I think it would be a miracle for her, too," Ginny said.

Ginny's dad put so many smiles on kids' faces. She's now trying to put smiles on his and his wife's.