UFC Fighters Inspire Young Moffitt Patients Facing Cancer
Fighting, battling, attacking and beating cancer are all phrases that are synonymous with a patient’s journey. Those words can also be used to describe the journey UFC athletes face in the octagon against their opponents on fight night.
On Dec. 12, patients at Moffitt Cancer Center had the chance to meet UFC fighters Jared Gordon and Youssef Zalal. The athletic duo spent time with patients during the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program’s lounge night.
Cancer patients between the ages of 15 and 39 face unique challenges that other patients may not experience. Coping with issues like mental health, financial insecurity and fertility preservation while managing typical young adult lifestyles focused on dating, going to school and starting a career can be overwhelming. AYA events give younger patients the chance to meet others who are on similar paths.
“They have a good energy and are like really fighting, more than us to be honest,” said Zalal, a UFC featherweight. “It’s an honor for me to be here and to experience that with these guys.”
Gordon and Zalal surprised several patients with tickets to see a UFC fight at Amalie Arena.
