RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Athletics are launching a new fundraising livestream event that combines college sports, virtual gaming, and pediatric healthcare. The event will take place on December 17, 2025, from 3 to 5 pm at Rutgers University’s Hale Center. It will feature Rutgers Football player Jai Patel competing in a live video game match against seven-year-old Nikos Kaymakcian, a patient at Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) and the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN) New Jersey Champion.
Nikos was diagnosed with spina bifida before birth and was not expected to walk or have a high quality of life. However, after receiving care at Children’s Specialized Hospital, he can now walk with assistance and participates in activities such as wheelchair basketball with The New Jersey Phantoms. He also enjoys playing video games with his brothers.
“Nikos is a true inspiration and we’re thrilled to partner on this first-ever fundraising event with Rutgers Athletics to support more children just like him,” said Alissa Memoli, President and Chief Development Officer of the Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. “Gaming is a powerful tool for healing, helping kids build confidence, develop motor skills, and stay connected socially during some of their toughest moments. Through Children’s Miracle Network’s Extra Life program, moments of play like this one become moments of impact for kids across New Jersey.”
The livestream will include commentary from Chris Carlin, appearances by former Rutgers athletes such as Eric LeGrand, and interactive fundraising challenges for viewers. Audience participation can unlock various on-screen activities during the broadcast.
“I’m really excited to be part of this event and spend time with Nikos,” said Patel. “This event is a special opportunity to give back and support an incredible community. Being able to connect, raise money for a great cause, and hopefully bring some smiles means a lot to me.”
The collaboration marks the start of an expanded partnership between RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Athletics aimed at engaging fans and supporting patients through events like these. The initiative also aligns with Extra Life—a program that mobilizes gamers nationwide to raise funds for local children’s hospitals.
“This event captures everything that RWJBarnabas Health believes in – community, resilience, and the power of partnerships to better serve our patients and families,” said Justin Edelman, Senior Vice President of External Communications and Corporate Sponsorships at RWJBarnabas Health. “We’re so grateful for our partners at Rutgers Athletics for helping us pull together these incredible experiences. Play is an essential part of the overall wellbeing of children – activations like this not only provide fun, but quite literally enhance the health outcomes of our youngest patients.”
Children’s Specialized Hospital is part of RWJBarnabas Health’s network offering inpatient and outpatient care for children facing chronic illnesses or disabilities across 14 locations in New Jersey. The hospital provides personalized therapies designed to help each child reach their full potential.
RWJBarnabas Health is recognized as New Jersey’s largest academic health system serving over five million people annually through its network that includes 14 hospitals and thousands of physicians providing care at hundreds of sites statewide. The organization also works closely with communities on issues such as food insecurity, housing instability, economic opportunities for vulnerable populations—and has significant partnerships including those with Rutgers University.
Rutgers Athletics comprises 24 varsity sports teams representing over 740 student-athletes as members of the Big Ten Conference.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $9 billion over four decades for pediatric healthcare needs across North America through local donations supporting critical treatments, research initiatives, equipment purchases, child life services during hospital stays, as well as financial assistance programs.
Extra Life is one such fundraising effort within Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals that brings together gamers globally in support of children’s hospitals; since its launch it has generated $132 million toward member institutions.
More information about supporting Children’s Specialized Hospital can be found at https://give2csh.org.
