P4H Hospital Visits and Tailgates

Why? Thousands of children are hospitalized and diagnosed with various ailments each year, some of their stays lasting weeks or even months. Due to their age and understanding, it can be an extremely disheartening time that negatively impacts their physical, mental, and emotional health. Hope is extremely important to a patients quality of life and sense of well-being as it helps them acknowledge their situation and cope with adversity. Our goal is to provide an outlet of hope to every patient.

Who? Funds raised will directly benefit children at MU Children's Hospital in Columbia, MO.

When? Hospital visits and tailgates are held weekly throughout the year during various sports seasons, typically August through April.

How? At every visit, the child is brought a personalized video message from the athlete they are paired with. The visit from the athlete serves to remind the child of the strength they possess and to encourage them to keep pushing forward through whatever adversity they may be facing. The child and their family also receive a gift basket from our sponsors and wristbands from Playing 4 Hope to match the one the athlete is wearing. The wristband symbolizes a special bond between the two and lets the child know that athlete has dedicated their game, and their fight, to them. 

What are tailgates? During the Mizzou football season, we provide all patients and families on the pediatric floors with the essentials of a tailgate. This includes food, beverages, backyard games, and a watch party to cheer on the patients paired athlete.