Wrestlers Visit Pediatric Patients at the CC

Four pro wrestlers brought smiles and healing vibes to children undergoing treatment at NIH’s Clinical Center on Dec. 12. The wrestlers visited NIH as part of an emerging official friendship with the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).

The kids glowed with appreciation as the four wrestlers—AJ Styles, Otis, Dragon Lee and Maxxine Dupri—spent quality time with them, chatting, posing for photos, signing autographs, doing crafts. Each child also received a replica title belt.

After visiting with patients in their rooms in the pediatric unit, the wrestlers headed to the CC’s main playroom to visit with several children who came over from the Children’s Inn at NIH—a nonprofit facility where some children and their families reside while participating in NIH clinical research.

Upon arrival, the wrestlers learned about the CC’s unique bench-to-bedside approach that brings potential new treatments right to the patient’s room. Every patient is a proud partner in research, noted NIH Principal Deputy Director Dr. Matt Memoli. While invested in their own recovery, he explained, patients eagerly participate in clinical trials with the hope that the discoveries they enable will help future patients.

NIH aims to increase awareness and focus on battling chronic diseases, which are often rooted in childhood, said Dr. Jay Bhattacharya during a briefing with the wrestlers in the CC medical board room. Early interventions can alter lifelong disease trajectories, he said.

“NIH is committed to strengthening pediatric care and research,” Bhattacharya said. “By investing in infrastructure, data and clinical capacity, NIH can address long-standing gaps and accelerate progress for children and families.”