University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s (UH Rainbow) patients and their families enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Browns’ training camp during the first-ever UH Rainbow Day. The event was a great opportunity for UH Rainbow patients and caregivers to escape the clinical environment and enjoy a well-deserved day of fun.
One of the patients in attendance was William Gerardo Clark III, “Trey,” 12, who has been a patient at UH Rainbow since just hours after his birth. Trey suffers from spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and bilateral hip dysplasia, among other medical complications. He has undergone numerous surgeries and countless tests and procedures. Since he was 6 weeks old, Trey has been wearing stretch casts called Ponseti casts to help stretch, reposition, and correct his club feet. Coincidentally, Trey wore orange Browns-themed casts to training camp!
Trey loves sports, especially football, and his favorite players are Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett. After practice, Myles and several other Browns players visited Trey and his family, signing autographs and posing for photos. “Trey’s smile and joy at the end of the day was worth more than money could buy,” said Trey’s mother, Teresa. “It was a dream come true, an afternoon he will never forget.”
Brynlee, 4, attended training camp with her parents. She was diagnosed with leukemia last summer. She has been through intensive treatments for the past year, but recently received some good news: She is now in maintenance therapy! She is preparing for kindergarten and wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Brynlee’s favorite player on the Browns is guard Michael Dunn. The two have developed a special bond after meeting at a Halloween party last fall.
In addition to Trey and Brynlee, several other UH Rainbow patients and their families were honored guests of the Cleveland Browns. The children participated in the high-five tunnel and enjoyed watching practice from the VIP suite. The unforgettable afternoon ended with an autograph signing and photos.
The Cleveland Browns recently announced the launch of Jr. Browns Backers, the official kids’ club of the Browns, presented by University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s in partnership with Cardinal Credit Union.
“An integral part of our partnership with the Cleveland Browns is our shared commitment to serving Browns fans of all ages,” said Patti DePompei, president of UH Rainbow and MacDonald Women’s Hospitals. “Expanding one of the NFL’s largest fan clubs to include the youngest fans allows us to connect with them in a fun and impactful way.”
The brand new kids’ club is open to youth ages four to 12 and includes special members-only events, access to an online activity center and a quarterly newsletter emailed directly to parents or guardians.
Since 2014, UH has partnered with the Browns to provide a comprehensive, innovative and science-based approach to caring for Browns players, staff and their families while emphasizing community engagement in Northeast Ohio.
As the official health partner of the Browns, UH medical staff provides care to Browns fans at all home games and events at Cleveland Browns Stadium, as well as open training camps at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Throughout the year, UH also promotes its Healthy Fan initiative to encourage everyone to get regular checkups and improve their overall well-being.
