UFC ATHLETES VISIT MOFFITT CANCER CENTER AS PART OF UFC TAMPA FIGHT WEEK
UFC Athletes Also Surprised Patients With Tickets To Attend FN Tampa At Amalie Arena
UFC recently partnered with Moffitt Cancer Center to host an athlete meet and greet with patients as part of fight week for UFC FIGHT NIGHT: COVINGTON vs. BUCKLEY.
UFC athletes Jared Gordon and Youssef Zalal attended “Lounge Night” as part of the cancer center’s AYA program. The athletes spent time with adolescent and young adult cancer patients during the event, taking photos, signing autographs, playing games and shooting videos while enjoying a pizza party.
UFC Athletes Bring Pizza and Positivity to Moffitt Cancer Center
At the conclusion of the event, both athletes surprised patients and employees with tickets to attend UFC’s last event of 2024, UFC FIGHT NIGHT: COVINGTON vs. BUCKLEY,which took place on Saturday, December 14, at Amalie Arena.
“Cancer can impact anyone,” said Lizette Toro, Moffitt’s Corporate Events and Partnerships Manager. “It was truly heartwarming to watch Youssef and Jared engage with our young patients. Their words of encouragement reminded us that it takes a community to fight cancer. We are very grateful to the UFC for their support.”
Moffitt’s Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Program under the Supportive Care Medicine Program addresses the unique concerns and emotional needs of young adults with cancer. Moffitt Cancer Center is committed to providing patients ages 15 to 39 with specialized medical and psychosocial clinical care.
UFC Athletes Capture Special Moments at Moffitt Cancer Center
Cancer patients between the ages of 15 and 39 face unique challenges that other patients may not experience. Coping with issues like mental health, financial insecurity and fertility preservation while managing typical young adult lifestyles focused on dating, going to school and starting a career, can be overwhelming. AYA events give younger patients the chance to meet others who are on similar paths.
“They have a good energy and are really fighting, more than us, to be honest,” said Zalal. “It’s an honor for me to be here and to experience that with these guys. Hopefully, we can come back soon.”
UFC’s corporate social responsibility program, #UFCInTheCommunity, strategically collaborates with partners, sponsors, and athletes to develop additional charitable programs and funding sources to help bolster and inspire the local community.
Moffitt Cancer Center is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 57 National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education.