Graham Mertz and JLab Crank up the Volume on Giving Back

This holiday season, hope rang a little bit louder through the halls of UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital when a special visitor made an appearance to visit patients.

This special guest wasn’t dressed in red and white, but University of Florida Gators Quarterback Graham Mertz was handing out presents to the young patients and their families.

In collaboration with JLab, a new partner of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Mertz surprised patients at staff at UF Health Shands, delivering headphones, signing autographs and bringing joy to all. 

As part of their holiday efforts, JLab also hosted an online fundraising campaign, matching gifts made online to CMN through the end of December. Giving away headphones was their way to remind everyone that sometimes a little music, a good audiobook, or a chat with loved ones is the best medicine. 

“JLab’s commitment to giving back to local communities is a powerful example of how we can work together to transform children’s healthcare. Every contribution – large or small – makes a meaningful difference, and we are thankful for the collective effort to spread joy and hope to those in need this holiday,” said Aimee J. Daily, Ph.D., President & CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.