As C Luke Wypler stopped into a few of the rooms at UH Rainbow Babies & Children's, he passed out juggling balls and gave a lesson on how to juggle. In another patient's room, he discussed his favorite Lego sets with a patient as the patient's face lit up with a smile.
During the team's annual Browns Give Back Tuesday on Oct. 14 alongside University Hospitals, Wypler and Browns mascot Chomps visited pediatric patients' rooms in the Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute at UH Rainbow Babies & Children's, while DE Isaiah McGuire and recently retired Browns WR David Bell met with oncology patients receiving treatment at UH Seidman Cancer Center.
"Today was amazing to be able to go into a room and be able to bring joy to people who are going through a really hard time, and to be able to lift them up," Wypler said. "I think any time you can contribute to a cause that helps a lot of people and just be a little part of it means a lot. And that's all I want to be just a part of something that is able to help everyone else involved."
For McGuire, being able to visit with the patients held a high level of importance. McGuire said he has family members who are cancer survivors, and witnessing not only his family members, but also the patients at UH Seidman Cancer Center have a smile on their faces in the midst of their battle reminded him of their resiliency and strength.
"I think with the work schedule that we face as professional athletes and how much it takes up mentally, emotionally, physically, whatever it may be, it's a good time to have a reminder that there are things way more important in life than football," McGuire said. "We play a game, a children's game at that, but people out here are going through real-life crisis and tribulations. And for us to come here today and just provide a smile or just spark a small conversation that helps them out is truly humbling and we have great gratitude regarding it."
In addition to the visit, Crucial Catch will be celebrated in Week 7 when the Browns face the Dolphins. Multiple patients from the visit will be a part of different game day opportunities such as Kickoff Kids, Take it to the Dawg House and Flag Kid at Huntington Bank Field on Oct. 19. The Browns will also continue with the Survivor Bell Ringing, a tradition that began at the 2024 Crucial Catch game.
University Hospitals has been a partner and the Official Health Care provider for the Cleveland Browns since 2014. Since then, the Browns and UH have held annual visits during the football season, particularly in October, in support of the NFL's league wide Crucial Catch initiative.
"The Browns are committed to excellence, and we're committed to excellence," Dr. Theodoros Teknos, President and Scientific Director, UH Seidman Cancer Center, and Jane and Lee Seidman Chair in Cancer Innovation, said. "We're here to serve our community, so I think we have a mutual reason to be the hometown team for Cleveland, us for cancer and then the Browns for sports and entertainment."
