Ahead of Bay Football Club’s Home Opener, Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji, midfielders Taylor Huff and Jamie Shepherd, and defender Maddie Moreau visited patients at Sutter’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame on Tuesday, March 18th.
In honor of Women’s Empowerment Month, the players gave away 2025 kits and autographed mini balls to new mothers and orthopedic patients.
The four players visited patients at the medical center to spread cheer and show support of the medical center. They also surprised patients and their loved ones by signing 2025 Bay FC kits – the club’s first design collaboration with Nike – and spoke with patients about their journeys, recent surgeries or births, and community ties. After speaking with the patients, the players took a photo to commemorate their time together.
Kundananji and Shepherd congratulated the new parents as they walked through the Family Unit Floor. Seeing a newborn just one day after birth is a memorable experience for anybody and Kundananji shared her thoughts about the experience below.
“I had a lot of fun meeting a newborn. It was my first time meeting a baby who was born 24 hours ago,” said Kundananji. “I’m used to seeing months- or year-old babies, but a day-old baby was fantastic, and they were looking so beautiful and seeing the proud smiles from their mothers and fathers was so fun.”
Huff and Moreau spoke with orthopedic patients about their recovery as most had come out of surgery earlier that morning. Louisiana native Moreau shared her experience and said her favorite moment was meeting a family also from her home state.
“It was really nice being able to go in and meeting the doctors and the nurses and the patients. Their excitement to see us and feel that community from the Bay Area and the fact that they even wanted to see us after surgery made me feel great,” said Moreau. “They were lovely and were really excited to spend time with us and get to know us and Sutter just seems like a great place to go when you’re in need.”
Kundananji shared that one of her favorite moments was meeting the first couple she and Shepherd visited in the Family Unit. “They were so happy to have a third child and a third boy – they couldn’t even hide it,” added Kundananji.
“It’s so important to know the impact that we have on the Bay Area and it’s awesome that we’re given these experiences and opportunities and I’m proud we’re able to give back in that way,” said Huff. “I think it’s so important for us to feel like we’re making an impact beyond the field and knowing we can make a difference in more ways than playing on the pitch.”
With big smiles, the patients and Sutter Health staff thanked the players for stopping by.
“They were incredible. They uplifted our patients,” said Darian Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Sutter’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center of the Bay FC players. “The energy was so palpable, and I think they have made a number of really amazing fans for Bay FC to kick off the Home Opener this weekend.”
The players ended the afternoon by speaking with youth hospital volunteers and thanked Sutter’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center staff for having them.
As the players reflected on their experience, they all shared the same sentiment: they were happy to have been a part of this day and giving back to their local communities.
“My favorite part was hearing how positive patients were and they even gave us, some advice,” added Huff. “One of the patients had a knee replacement, and he said he wouldn’t do it any other way. I’m going to take that advice and make sure I’m living my best life and doing all the things I can and if it ends up coming to surgery later in life, knowing I did everything that made me happy when I was younger will be worth it. I feel like that definitely helped me and uplifted me, too.”
The historic partnership between Bay FC and Sutter Health allows Bay FC to invest in community health and wellness and allows players the opportunity to interact with patients and young people and give back to the community.
“Having Sutter Health as a partner really helps us get involved in the community,” said Shepherd. “With the Home Opener coming up we know the Sutter Health family will be there supporting us and we can’t wait.”
Catch Bay FC in action at PayPal Park this Saturday, March 22, at 7 p.m. for their Home Opener, presented by Sutter Health, as the club faces Racing Louisville. Purchase tickets at bayfc.com.
