For the third consecutive year, the New York Red Bulls have partnered with Hackensack Meridian Health for Marvel Night at Red Bull Arena. As part of the night, the organizations will be recognizing true superheroes – pediatric cancer patients from Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health Network and their families. As part of this initiative, the Red Bulls players were paired with these patients and their siblings to design one-of-a-kind cleats for the players to wear during warmups on July 20th. The patients and their siblings will also walk the players out to the pitch as well as receive various recognitions throughout the evening as they are Superheroes to us.
In addition to the Cleat Program + Superhero recognition, the Red Bulls and Hackensack Meridian Health have teamed up to commission artist, Samantha Woj to create a piece of art that will be donated to the hospital. Samantha was born with a rare genetic disorder called Ectrodactyly, a condition characterized by the absence or malformation of the fingers and toes. Samantha creates paintings utilizing sports equipment on a canvas. Imprints are made from throwing, rolling and tapping the sports equipment (i.e., laces, soccer balls, etc.) onto the canvas to create a beautiful piece of art.
On July 20th, she will be live painting at Red Bull Arena in the Cross Bar for fans to watch her process come to life. The painting in which she will be doing is of a player with a patient wearing their superhero cape, capturing the emotion and essence of this program.
