It was a cloudy day as rehabilitation patients and Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program participants of Levine Children’s Hospital boarded the Carolinas HealthCare System shuttles. But the clouds and threat of rain could not deter the brimming excitement from patients and their families as they headed toward the Bank of America Stadium for the Third Annual “Christmas with Cam” at the Carolina Panthers v. New Orleans Saints game. From inside a suite on the fourth floor of the stadium, 12 patients and their parents eagerly watched the game unfold. Santa Claus, Sir Purr, and the Top Cats were among the many special visitors to stop by the suite during the game. Patients were ecstatic as they received their personalized Cam Newton jerseys, Beats headphones, and autographed pictures of the Panthers’ quarterback.
The day’s excitement did not end with the winning touchdown for the Panthers, but only increased as the kids waited eagerly to meet Cam. The 6’5” star quarterback warmly greeted each child one by one, kneeling to take pictures and share kind words of encouragement to the incredibly resilient patients. Closing with a heartwarming speech, Cam was thrilled to announce that the Panthers had not once lost a game on a Christmas with Cam game-day for the past three years. The Cam Newton Foundation, committed to “enhancing the lives of young people by addressing their socioeconomic, educational, and physical and emotional needs”, organizes this day of giving for Levine Children’s Hospital patients and their families. Carolinas HealthCare Foundation and Levine Children’s Hospital are grateful to Cam Newton and his foundation’s generosity and compassion for our young patients.