Russell Wilson visits patients and their families at Seattle Children’s each Tuesday.
Each Tuesday, the hospital is decked out in blue and the halls are buzzing with excitement as Russell Wilson stops by to visit with our patients. In this blog, Russell shares why he is so dedicated to supporting the families at Seattle Children’s.
Sunday is game day for me, but my best day is Tuesday when I visit Seattle Children’s. All the amazing opportunities I’ve had on the field can’t compare to helping kids whose lives are on the line.
I started volunteering a couple of years ago. I’m humbled by the courage of the patients and families I meet and proud to witness the amazing work of the nurses and doctors who care for them.
Hospitals aren’t scary for me. I spent a lot of time visiting my dad in one before complications from diabetes took his life in 2010. He was only 55 years old. His experiences helped me better understand the unique challenges that hospitalized children and their families face. Their strength has been an inspiration to me.
I believe God has put me on this earth to serve others. That’s why there’s nothing more fulfilling than walking into a child’s hospital room and finding out how they’re doing – listening to their stories. All these kids are so brave and to be there for them and give them a boost is really important to me. What they don’t know is how much they affect me: I get an even bigger boost from them!
There’s more to life than football and winning games. Every single time I’m at the hospital and I get a kid to smile or help a parent relax, it opens up my heart and reminds me how much I receive by being all in at Seattle Children’s.
Russell Wilson is also the team captain for Strong Against Cancer, a research fundraising initiative inspired by the discoveries at the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Seattle Children’s. Join the team.
Russell, Thank you for who you are and all you do and represent. Your service to kids and their families will be a remarkable positive memory in a time when those are hard to come by.
Congratulations.
Thank you, Russ, for being the salt and light you have been called to be. God has given you a big stage, and I appreciate how you use it for His glory. Go Hawks!
An amazing place! Children’s Hosptial saved my son’s life 25 years ago. A big shout out to Children’s and Russell for going “above and beyond”!
I love your story, your strength and your efforts in bringing joy into people’s life. God bless
Dear Russell Wilson, as a 51 year old, born and raised Seattleite, raised as a Raiders fan via my Dad, who once had Seahawks season tickets since day one, and now with two sons 16 & 12, please believe me when I say, that I know what Children’s Hospital is all about, and more.
See, our youngest son, is a heart patient at Children’s, and two summers ago, he had his second open heart surgery, and his first was when he was just 3 weeks old. That one was done at Lucile Packard’s Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto. I guess you could say that, ” we know the drill.” And once you’re in that place, state, that’s in the hospital, you know what you see in the faces of others who are facing difficult times, as the deal with the issues, that their kids face. Our son will need more surgeries, so we’re still, and always be, in that game. Not wanting to be, but we are, and it’s life, with God’s help, and that of others, we’ll give it our best, to be there, with, and for our son, both sons, no matter what.
I must share with you, that after my son’s last surgery, which was on July 8th 2013, he was paid a visit, that his aunt arranged, and we were blessed to be visited by Marcus Trufant, his wife, and his friend Gaylane G. Scott. It was, absolutely great medicine, and my son’s spirits were noticeably lifted by their visit. A little later that day, we met a group of folks in the patio outside of the Starbucks coffee shop, parents an an uncle of a young lady, that you had come to visit and were accompanied by ESPN, and Hannah Storm, interview you. What I shared with that family, as well as just today talking about how the visits that you men take to see these kids, is absolutely GOOD Medicine for everyone,patients parents, staff and every one else too. It means a lot to these kids, parents and those around you or the patients ‘you’re doing God’s work and it shows. I would someday like to shake your hand, to tell you thank you.
You’re an amazingly talented, spiritual, and God filled man, as are so many of you on this team. You’re gratitude is tremendous, you’re support of God is unwavering, and your testimony is needed you’re being blessed, is contagious, and to know that you visited a friend’s daughter just last week, Jazmyn Wood, was appreciated more than you may ever really know. You’re ” good people” Russell Wilson, you’re one of God’s messengers, and you’re going to do great things in life, beyond your playing days, it’s obvious, and it’s needed.
I could tell you more, but I’ll save it for now. Please know, how much your positive spirit, dedication, devotion, and sharing not just of yourself, but what the Lord wants for you to do, is touching lives of many, in ways unimaginable, and for that, we all thank you.
May God always be with you, and those you love, and may HE continue to use you to spread his Grace, and receive our glory. May he keep you strong, healthy, and protected, so as to ensure your continuation of doing good.’
God Bless You,
Richard Paddon
There’s some big typos . It should have Gods not ODs, and visited, not busted.
My apologies.
I think what you do is awesome. These children need voices, love and support. Awareness, research and funding.. 46 families a day will hear the words “your child has cancer” & 7 will gain their wings today.. SO THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO LOVE THESE CHILDREN AS MUCH AS YOU DO FOOTBALL.. YOU HAVE JUST WON MY HEART. HAVE A BLESSED DAY..
What an amazing story! Russell Wilson is not only a hero on the field, but off the field as well. This story truly inspires me and makes me want to do something like this so bad! Wilson is definitely someone that I can look up to! I hope he continues to do what he does!!! God bless! <3 xoxo ~Jen 🙂
I’ve been working on some ideas with some friends and we were thinking of starting to visit Seattle Children’s Hospital, too, but wearing costumes of different children’s show characters. Anyone know who we would contact to set that up?
Amazing! Thank you for your visits and your wonderful walk with God!
It’s unselfish acts of kindness like this that shows the real soul of a person…may you reap what you sow Mr Wilson
Thanks for your servant heart and actions. THAT’S what makes you GREAT!
Russell, I believe we are all angels as we get more in touch with the quiet, sometimes loud, inner voice of God. You are an amazing example of following Go’d’s whispers through your faith and trust. Thank you for the loving ways you treat people on and off the field. I understand how those beautiful little angels deeply touch you. I believe children are pure and clear with God’s voice. No noise to interrfear with his message of God. Thank you for blessing them with your compassion and love. I’m a ten year long survivor of cancer and the many angels who were brought into my life touched me in a lasting way
What a blessing to see your ministry. May you continue to encourage and help lift up these young ones through difficult times. Go Hawks!
please check out: http://tinysuperheroes.com
It’s the perfect compliment to strong against cancer!
Volunteering with children is so rewarding, sometimes I almost feel guilty because I’m in a roll to give, yet I’m receiving so much!
It’s just so beautiful
The New definition of cool: Russell Wilson. Thank you for being such a great leader. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful role model to inspire our community. Talk about a man who talks the talk, and walks the walk.
To Mr. Wilson:
Thank you for being His hands and feet to these kiddos and their families. I can’t even fathom the road these families travel. I appreciate you just being willing to be there for them, and like you said, to just bring a smile. A family I am friends with is there. You actually visited them back in May and what a day you provided for them. I thank you for that. Today, like so many families there, they received some devastating news. Broke my heart to hear and try and comprehend. I trust the Lord completely, but hurt for them so much. I remember the joy you brought them, and thought you could do this one more time for them. I don’t even know if you read these comments. I’m sure you get asked this many times. But, just thought I would ask for them. Wishing I could do more for them. Praying without ceasing….thank you for being strong for them.
For Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men’s faces.
Gerard Manley Hopkins
Russell is a light at the end of the tunnel for so many. Giving love and hope and something to look forward to for those that have had misfortune is truly the greatest, priceless gift.
How much does Russell Wilson get paid to visit children’s hospital, if he doesn’t get paid why can’t he visit Harborview medical center. There are sick trauma patients, a lot are children have suffered a loss.
Hi Tara – Thank you for reaching out. Russell Wilson volunteers his time to visit Seattle Children’s. Other requests may be directed to his Why Not You Foundation at: https://whynotyoufdn.org/contact-1.