Arch Manning spreads holiday joy to patients at Manning Family Children’s

The University of Texas quarterback and New Orleans native visited with patients in Manning Family Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, along with a special event where kids made gingerbread houses and visited with Arch, who took photos and signed autographs for the kids.

NEW ORLEANS – On Saturday, December 13, Arch Manning visited with patients at Manning Family Children’s, bringing joy and hope to those who need it the most this holiday season. The University of Texas quarterback, who grew up just down the street from the hospital, spent time visiting patients room to room in the hospital’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, and Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, providing encouragement to kids who are fighting the toughest battles.

In February, the former Children’s Hospital New Orleans announced its renaming to Manning Family Children’s through a transformational partnership with the Manning family. Celebrating its 70^th year as the only, freestanding comprehensive children’s hospital in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, this new chapter marks a bold vision to make Louisiana a national leader in child health and wellbeing – a vision shared by the Manning family.

“Arch’s visit was incredibly meaningful to our patients, families and staff,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, President and Chief Executive Officer of Manning Family Children’s. “His uplifting spirit brought joy and countless smiles to those who are spending their holiday seasons receiving care here in our hospital. What a special moment it was to have Arch spend time with us.”

During the visit, Arch made a donation of toys as part of the hospital’s annual holiday toy drive, and also participated in a special holiday event where patients and their families decorated gingerbread houses. Patients also took photos with Arch while he autographed footballs for the kids. The visit was complete with a final stop to the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where Arch visited with staff and parents of the hospital’s tiniest patients.

“It was powerful to connect with many of the patients and families at Manning Family Children’s, and to see their determination and strength,” said Arch Manning. “There is nothing more inspiring than playing a round of basketball with a child who recently received a lifesaving bone marrow transplant, or taking a few steps with a patient who is relearning to walk following a serious spinal cord injury. Today was truly humbling.”

For 70 years, Manning Family Children’s has proudly served as Louisiana’s only, freestanding, comprehensive children’s hospital with more than 600 pediatric-trained providers and 3,000 employees solely dedicated to the care of kids. In addition to comprehensive services offered at its main campus in New Orleans, Children’s operates a robust network of more than 30 satellite locations, pediatric affiliations across Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and robust and long- community programs designed to meet the health needs of the diverse communities it serves. At the heart of its mission, Manning Family Children’s is committed to delivering expert care for every child, every time – regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

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About Manning Family Children’s: Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 17 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildrens.org.