On August 17, UFC featherweight Calvin Kattar, bantamweight Rob Font, and lightweight Joe Lauzon made a heartwarming visit to pediatric patients at Boston Children’s Hospital during UFC 292 fight week.
According to Michael Bornhorst, Vice President, Corporate Development, Leadership Giving & Events at Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, the hospital was thrilled to welcome the UFC athletes.
He stated, “We were thrilled to welcome UFC athletes Rob Font, Calvin Kattar, and Joe Lauzon to Boston Children’s. Patients and their families joined the athletes in our Seacrest Studio for a meet and greet—even sharing unique fan art! The athletes also participated in a broadcast streamed to patients’ rooms on all floors, ensuring patients who were not able to leave their rooms could participate in the fun visit. We are grateful to UFC for bringing joy to patients here and for their generous support of Boston Children’s Hospital.”
During their visit, the UFC athletes interacted with over 300 patients virtually through Seacrest Studios. They conducted a full Q&A session and provided giveaways as part of the hospital's daily programming.
Rob Font, who was visiting a children’s hospital for the first time, expressed his happiness and gratitude, saying, “This is my first time visiting a children’s hospital and I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m so happy we came. You really don’t know the type of impact you have on people until you meet them personally, and it’s amazing that these kids know who I am. This was really a great experience, and I can’t wait to come back.”
In addition to the visit, UFC and Boston Children’s Hospital collaborated on a VIP ticket auction for UFC 292. This auction raised an impressive $20,500 for the hospital's 2023 pediatric fundraising campaign.
Boston Children’s Hospital, a pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is consistently ranked among the best children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. It boasts the world’s largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, with its discoveries benefiting both children and adults since 1869.
