On Thursday, May 4, UFC welterweight Randy Brown and strawweight Katlyn Chookagian visited Joseph M. Sanzari’s Children’s Hospital as part of UFC 288: Sterling vs. Cejudo fight week.
“We’re so grateful to Randy and Katlyn for taking the time out of their busy schedules to visit with our pediatric patients here at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, President and Chief Hospital Executive, Hackensack University Medical Center and President, North Region, Hackensack Meridian Health. “These incredible athletes lifted the spirits of our youngest patients and their families by showering them with gifts and positive words of encouragement, which is so important to the recovery process. Thank you, UFC!”
Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive, and integrated health care network in New Jersey.
During the tour of the facility, Randy and Katlyn visited pediatric patients, delivering gifts, playing games, and offering positive words of encouragement.
“Today was my first time visiting a children’s hospital and I’m proud that we were able to bring some smiles to these kids faces,” said Chookagian. “These kids are going through so much, and their parents, along with the hospital staff, are doing an amazing job of keeping them in positive spirits every step of the way. These kids are the real fighters and hopefully we were able to provide a little more inspiration for them today.”
”Spending time with these kids today really put things in perspective for me,” remarked Brown. “Meeting these kids, many of them UFC fans, was an incredible experience that I’ll never forget. I made a connection with a couple of the kids, and their families, and after my next camp, I’m coming back to spend more time with them.”
Sanzari Children’s Hospital is anchored by its Tackle Kids Cancer Initiative, which raises funds and awareness for the hospital’s pediatric cancer research and patient care programs occurring at Sanzari and Hovnanian Children’s Hospitals.
All funds raised on behalf of Tackle Kids Cancer directly benefit the essential clinical care, unique support services, and groundbreaking cancer research needed to find a cure. To learn more, please visit TKCI.
UFC’s corporate social responsibility program, #UFCInTheCommunity, strategically collaborates with partners, sponsors, and athletes to develop additional charitable programs and funding sources to help bolster and inspire the local community. For more information, please visit UFCFOUNDATION.
UFC 288: Sterling vs Cejudo took place live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on May 6, 2023. See the Final Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass
