Goalie Charlie Lindgren and Defenseman Rasmus Sandin spent time with children battling serious illnesses at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
WASHINGTON — On Valentine’s Day, MedStar Health and the Washington Capitals teamed up to spread love to pediatric patients being treated at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. The visit brought smiles and much needed encouragement to children and families working through serious treatments for cancer, organ transplant, and more.
“Every time the Caps visit us, it’s a huge morale booster for our pediatric patients,” said MedStar Health Child Life Coordinator Katie Wallace, CCLS. “Getting up close and personal with the players never fails to make their day. In their recoveries, we want them to experience as much joy as possible and our partnership with the Capitals helps us deliver that joy.”
After arriving, Goalie Charlie Lindgren and Defenseman Rasmus Sandin spent quality time talking, taking photos, signing autographs, and working on Valentine’s Day themed art projects with children in the hospital’s Pediatric Hematology Oncology outpatient clinic. Then, the players went room to room visiting patients staying in the Transplant Center for Children.
“They have smiles on their faces even though they are going through a difficult time,” Lindgren said. “It definitely puts life in perspective. It’s truly our pleasure doing it. It means a lot to us and hopefully it means a lot to the kids too.”
Red was the color of the day as Capitals brought rally towels, hats, photos, trading cards, and other swag for the children to enjoy along with their red and pink Valentine’s cards. Valentine’s By Kids, a Washington, D.C., non-profit, brought hundreds of the cards to be delivered to patients. The non-profit encourages children at local schools and organizations to the draw the cards to support other children in need.
MedStar Health is proud to be the trusted medical team of the Washington Capitals.
Media Contacts
Brendan McNamara
202-394-2430
Brendan.T.McNamara@medstar.net