The Mauli Ola Foundation Brings Surfers and Smiles to Patients at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach

Jose, decorates a hat given to patients at Miller Children’s hospital Long Beach from the Mauli Ola Foundation.

The Mauli Ola Foundation brought a special art workshop to patients at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. Members of the Foundation and professional surfers, Kalani Robb, Kala Alexander and Teddy Navarro along with Mixed Martial Arts fighter and Respect in the Cage champion, Brian “T-City” Ortega, brought Mauli Ola Foundation signature hats designed specifically for hospitalized children to decorate.

The Mauli Ola Foundation and FlexFit teamed up to create hats for the Foundation. Each surfer was able to design their own hat. Kalani Robb designed his hat with outlined caricatures and shapes so that children in the hospital would have their own unique, personalized hat they could decorate.

: Domenic, Miller Children’s patient, gets a visit from (left to right) professional surfers Kalani Robb, Teddy Navarro and FlexFit representative, Andy.

“It feels really good to visit Miller Children’s and brighten the day for patients by giving them gifts like art hats, shirts and stickers,” says Robb. “It’s great to have my professional surfing and fighting friends take time out of their busy schedules to lift spirits and share smiles with each patient and their family.”

The Mauli Ola Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 2007 to promote awareness of genetic disease and support for patients. In addition to art workshops, one of the Foundation’s programs is Surf Experience Days, which pairs professional surf instructors and novice surf students who have Cystic Fibrosis to introduce them to the healing properties of exercise, ocean air, achievement and fun in a supportive environment. Hypertonic saline (which is prevalent in the ocean air just above the water’s surface) has been shown to be a natural treatment for people with Cystic Fibrosis.

Kalani Robb signs an autograph for Miller Children’s patient, Vincent.

“All of the children at Miller Children’s enjoy special visits, especially when they bring fun activities with them,” says Rita Goshert, manager, Child Life. “Our patients and families all thank the Mauli Ola Foundation for their time and generosity. Special visits help make the hospital experience more positive for children of all ages.”