Members of the Long Island Rough Riders Men’s and Women’s teams recently made their annual visit to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital last month on Wednesday June 26 to enjoy a special day with children battling cancer.
Men’s players Kevin Knowles and Adriano Gabriele along with Women’s members Luana Miessa, Kim DeCesare and Grace Hawkins spent time with the children and brightened their day. The afternoon was full of smiles as the players talked to the children about soccer, took pictures and signed autographs.
“The Rough Riders are honored to be a part of the Child Life Program at Stony Brook University Medical Center” said Flavio Ferri. “These special kids are truly an inspiration to us all and we were thrilled to have been given the opportunity to spend some time with them.”
The Rough Riders visit was organized through the Child Life Program at SBUMC. Children cared for in the Pediatric Unit at SBUMC benefit from entertainment and fun activities that give them a needed respite from treatment and their hospital stay. The Child Life Program at SBUMC strives to normalize the healthcare experience for pediatric patients and their families and reduce the stress associated with illness and hospitalization. The program provides therapeutic, educational and recreational activities to meet the unique emotional and developmental needs of hospitalized children.
