Players Visit With Kids At Children's Hospital
Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
Some very deserving young patients at the McMaster Children’s Hospital got a very special visit this afternoon from some of their favourite Ticats. Quinton Porter, Simeon Rottier, Alexandre Gauthier, Matt Kirk, Dave Stala and Yannick Carter visited with patients on Tuesday afternoon, signing autographs and taking pictures.
While it only took a few hours of their time, their visit made a huge impact on the lives of kids who often have to spend weeks at a time, undergoing treatments and procedures at the hospital.
“Hopefully we can just kind of break up their day, I’m sure they’re going through some things so it’s nice for us to be able to come in and take their mind off that for a little while,” said quarterback Quinton Porter.
“Also it’s good for us to show that professional athletes are people too, who like to hang out with them and maybe help or inspire them in some way,” he added.
Porter has purchased fifteen tickets to every home game this season that he gives to patients of the hospital that want to come out and enjoy a football game
“They can come and get away from the hospital for a bit and watch a game, and I think that’s real special,” said Porter. “A couple of times I’ve had the chance to meet them after the game and that’s always really great, they always have a good time.”
For kids that often don’t have the opportunity to have what would be considered a normal childhood, a visit from professional athletes that they admire gives them something to look forward to.
“It means a ton because some of them are in here for weeks and months on end, it’s hard to stay optimistic when you don’t get to go outside and play with your friends,” said Parker Neale, the hospital’s Development Officer for community initiatives.
“To get somebody coming in on a special day to say hi to you, and come to you, I think is pretty neat for them,” he said.
The players enjoyed the visit almost as much as the kids and will be looking to return to the hospital in the near future.
