• News

New York Mets, Major League Baseball, Stand Up To Cancer, and UMPS CARE Charities Visit

  • Mount Sinai
  • New York, NY
  • (October 30, 2015)

On October 30, pediatric patients at the Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai received a special visit from the New York Mets, Major League Baseball, Stand Up 2 Cancer (SU2C), and UMPS CARE Charities.

UMPS CARE Charities offered a Build-A-Bear Experience to patients and families at the Blau Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disease and Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai. Each child chose a stuffed animal and an outfit to create their new “furry friend” and members of the umpiring crew helped children build their new friends.
Patients also received a special visit from MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred; Hall of Famer and former New York Mets pitcher, Tom Glavine; former New York Mets closer, Jesse Orosco; Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star center fielder, Andrew McCutchen; MLB Goodwill Ambassador, Vera Clemente; Mr. and Mrs. Met; and leadership from SU2C and the Mets. They all appeared on KidZone TV and led a Mets Trivia program with callers.  

Smiling faces filled the room as representatives from the MLB remarked on the joy they saw during their visit. “It’s great to be able to see the smiles on their face despite the things they are dealing with,” commented Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star center fielder. McCutchen and leadership of the MLB and SU2C visited patients in their rooms and participated in arts-and-crafts with other children and their families in The Zone. 

“The children here at Mount Sinai are living here with serious illnesses and to interact with athletes and dignitaries from the MLB is really a highlight for them. It really changes the nature of their day,” reflected Diane Rode, Director of the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department at the Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai. “The best part of an event like this is that we see the children transform before our eyes. It’s the most satisfying part is seeing their faces light up and smiles all over the place.”

The Kravis Children’s Hospital, the Child Life staff, and everyone here at the Zone offer special thanks to New York Mets, Major League Baseball, and Stand Up 2 Cancer, and UMPS CARE Charities for all their support making this special day for our young patients a success!