Pediatric Patients at South Texas Health System Children’s Take Part in Special Meet and Greet With Two Monster Jam All-Star Drivers
Founded in 1992, Monster Jam® has become one of the most popular live motorsport events in the United States. Featuring specialized off-road vehicles with heavy duty suspension, four-wheel steering, large-displacement V8 engines and oversized tires, Monster Jam has captured the attention and curiosity of children across the country with captivating colors, thunderous sounds and fast movements.
Ahead of Monster Jam’s action-packed tour stop at Hidalgo’s Payne Arena this coming weekend, STHS Children’s partnered with Feld Motor Sports to welcome Blake Granger and MJ Solorio, two Monster Jam all-star drivers, for a special meet and greet with pediatric patients of all ages in the facility’s care.
On Thursday, March 6, Blake and MJ spent two hours interacting with patients by sharing about their experiences as daredevil drivers and taking photos with them in the facility’s third floor pediatric playroom.
“Through our Child Life Program, STHS Children’s offers a welcome distraction to all the patients in our care with special activities throughout their hospitalization. But with the support of remarkably giving partners like Monster Jam, we’re able to go the extra mile to ensure that our patients don’t miss out on being kids, even when facing medical challenges,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing and Public Relations, South Texas Health System. “Seeing the big smiles on the faces of our patients during this meet and greet with these Monster Jam all-stars demonstrates the positive impact these special visits have on the emotional well-being of our patients.”
STHS Children's Child Life Program
To learn more about the STHS Children’s Child Life Program and how it helps pediatric patients and their family members navigate the process of illness, injury, disability, trauma or hospitalization, visit our service page.
Along with getting to meet Blake and MJ, patients were able to get an up-close look at one of the authentic trucks used in Monster Jam competitions, Monster Mutt Dalmatian, which happens to be the mechanical beast that Blake currently uses to perform awe-inspiring stunts in competition.
“This is my first time in the Rio Grande Valley, and it was incredible to spend some time with the patients at STHS Children’s,” says Blake. “I’ve got two kids of my own and they’ve had their share of hospital stays, so I have an idea of what these families are going through. Monster Jam is honored and excited to have had this opportunity to give back to the community, and I’m happy to have been able to bring some smiles to those in this beautiful community.”
Patients also received official Monster Jam merchandise, including flags, hats and earmuffs courtesy of Feld Motor Sports, as well as Monster Jam minis provided by the Auxiliary to South Texas Health System.
“My family loves Monster Jam and we’ve gone to several of their events. But it’s so exciting having them come to us,” says Miguel Jimenez, whose daughter is currently hospitalized at STHS Children’s. “We heard about this special meet and greet event, and she lit up! As a dad, seeing her smile for the first time in days is a good feeling and I’m so grateful to Blake and MJ for taking the time to offer my daughter and other patients a distraction from their current situation.”
Following their interaction with patients, MJ and Blake visited with children from the community outside the facility, where Monster Mutt Dalmatian was parked.