When local sports teams and Rady Children’s team up, everybody wins

What do Darth Vader, a bus and a field have in common? They’re all ways local sports teams support Rady Children’s. The San Diego Gulls, one of the Hospital’s biggest supporters, and other local teams, San Diego Legion and the San Diego Seals, have changed the game for countless young patients through their fundraising efforts, special events and Hospital visits.

“Our relationships with our local teams help us create meaningful experiences for our patients and families while raising critical funds for the Hospital,” says Alexandra Loker, vice president of philanthropy, corporate and community development at Rady Children’s. “These partnerships also inspire hope and show our patients that the community is cheering them on in their own health journeys.”

Using the Force for Good

During a home game in February, as the San Diego Gulls took to the ice, the crowd was noticeably different. Mixed in with the usual jerseys and blue and orange regalia were Jedi robes, Chewbacca costumes and replica Darth Vader helmets. The team donned Star Wars-inspired gear as well, part of its Star Wars night promotion to support Rady Children’s.

“We traditionally have about six theme nights where we’ll use a different jersey. On Star Wars night, the jersey looks like a Star Wars character or is somehow connected to the film series,” says Matt Savant, the Gulls’ president of business operations. “Once the guys are done playing, they’ll take them off, sign them and then we’ll auction them off. All the proceeds from that game go to Rady Children’s.”

The team also supports Rady Children’s after the buzzer sounds. Players volunteer at the Hospital’s holiday season ice rink and visit patients, bringing fun Gulls-branded swag gifts and interacting with families.

“These guys are really good at heart,” Savant says. “It’s cool to see them engage and create a relationship with these children that are in the Hospital.”

Savant notes that philanthropy is a big part of the team’s culture. Owners Henry and Susan Samueli have supported many causes, including STEM education, health care and youth services. Over the team’s six-year partnership with Rady Children’s, they have raised $287,000.

“Henry and Susan Samueli are very philanthropic. When I got this job in 2016, they asked that the primary thing we focus on was the community efforts and giving back,” Savant says. “Our support for Rady Children’s is a team effort from the top down and the events that benefit the Hospital are some of our favorite of the year.”

The Push and Pull of Philanthropy

“We’re trying to help—the little bit that we can—support what Rady Children’s is doing, knowing that they provide care for over 90% of kids here in the community.”
—Ryan Patterson, team president and CEO

The San Diego Legion rugby team demonstrates their support for Rady Children’s through a show of brute strength. For the second year in a row, team members have combined their wills to push a 33,000-pound bus to raise money for the Hospital. This year, for the first time, the Legion involved other teams from the region to turn the challenge into a competition, raising even more critical funds. In all, the event pulled in more than $6,000 to benefit programs that improve patient and family wellbeing, fund new discoveries and build community.

“We’re grateful for Rady Children’s. We have a great partnership with them,” says Ryan Patterson, team president and CEO. “Bus Push was such a great event because we had multiple Rady Children’s partners together.”

In addition to the annual Bus Push Challenge, the Legion hosts patients and families at matches and donates to the Hospital with every try scored. They also host events for the greater San Diego community, including free clinics at 127 schools.

Patterson says that although players hail from all over the world, their focus remains on the San Diego community.

“We’re trying to help—the little bit that we can—support what Rady Children’s is doing, knowing that they provide care for over 90% of kids here in the community,” he says. “We have a spirit of giving, and helping them continue their mission means the world.”

Field of Dreams

The San Diego Seals recently honored the Hospital for its commitment to keeping kids healthy in a big way. The professional lacrosse team named its new practice field in Point Loma Rady Children’s Field. The new mixed-use facility will also serve as a space that will encourage the growth of youth sports in San Diego for years to come.

“Working with Rady Children’s is special to us because a big piece of what we’re doing is trying to promote an active healthy lifestyle for the youth in our community,” says Zion Levister, the team’s senior account manager for corporate partnerships.

The Seals also highlight a Rady Children’s patient before every home game.

“They get to run out onto the field,” Levister says. “On the video board, we display photos and share a little bit about their journey and their experience with Rady Children’s.” The team also hosts a Stick Up for a Cure night, where patients, families and staff are invited. At last year’s event, a $50,000 check was presented to the Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“Our partnership with Rady Children’s Hospital is wonderful,” Levister says. “We’ve worked with them for a number of years and look forward to maintaining this relationship well into the future.”