LA Kings Make Annual CHLA Visit a Virtual Success

Every year the Los Angeles Kings visit with Children's Hospital Los Angeles patients to talk, play games and hand out some goodies. The team was determined to make sure they could still visit, despite the pandemic.
On Tuesday, Nov. 17, six members of the team -- Jonathan Quick, Alex Iafallo, Kurtis MacDermid, Cal Peterson, Sean Walker and Austin Wagner - participated in a virtual visit with patients and their families where they talked, played a few hilarious rounds of Pictionary, and handed out LA Kings-branded knit hats, socks and blankets.

"Our players always look forward to visiting the patients at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and this year we simply had to get a little more creative during this difficult time," said Jennifer Pope, Kings Vice President, Community Relations, Team Services & Hockey Development.
"We were able to bring a few smiles to faces of very courageous young people and we are very fortunate to have the special relationship with CHLA that we enjoy," Pope said. "It is also special to make this visit in November which is Hockey Fights Cancer month."

Since 1992 the Los Angeles Kings and the Kings Care Foundation have been dedicated supporters of Children's Hospital Los Angeles through blood drives, the Platelets for Playoffs program, hospital visits, community events and more. The funds they raise support CHLA's Blood Donor Center and the Pediatric Neurosurgery Research Lab.
"The Kings' visit is a highly anticipated event and a treat for us every year," says CHLA Child Life specialist Cynthia Diaz, noting that even thought this year's visit was virtual, it was a big hit with the kids. "The most exciting thing for a patient is being able to see and meet their idol. These visits allow the patient to still have that one-to-one interaction with the players."