Mets honor Stony Brook medical student, cancer survivor at Citi Field as 'Everyday Champion'
Bridget Rogers, a lifelong Met fan, with her favorite all-time Met, David Wright, at Citi Field on Wednesday, where she was recognized as an "Everyday Champion." Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Even on the worst day, Bridget Rogers has been a lifelong Mets fan.
When she was 5, naturally her favorite player was the Mets captain, No. 5 David Wright.
Throughout her life growing up in Massapequa, while overcoming a brain tumor when she was 12 and now a third-year medical student working at Stony Brook Hospital Southampton, the Mets were there.
To her surprise, they were again Wednesday. Rogers, 25, and her family went to the Mets game against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field, but she didn't expect Wright, her all-time favorite player, to open a stadium door to greet her with tickets.
Nor did she expect to be honored on the field before the game by the Mets and Guardian Life as an "Everyday Champion" for her innovative approach to supporting mental health for pediatric cancer patients, piloted with children’s hospitals, including Stony Brook and Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
"What just happened?" Rogers asked, holding back tears and joking that she expected to wake up any minute from the greatest dream ever.
"I bleed blue and orange. They are such an incredible team, and I think it's just such an awesome opportunity that the Mets have done with this 'Everyday Champion' award, and that they really care about the impact that individuals are making in the community," she told Newsday. "Obviously, I love the team but seeing that they're wanting to recognize beyond just being a sports team and paying attention to the work that people are doing in the community is absolutely incredible."
The Mets and Guardian have partnered for the past three years to present the award. Past honorees included an 89-year-old security guard, a 9/11 FDNY firefighter and concessions worker, as well as collegiate para athletes.
Rogers was recognized for her work with the A Moment of Magic Foundation, where she helps relate to young children at hospitals through play, therapy and by summoning her own experience while undergoing treatment. She was selected after her mom submitted her story.
"Bridget’s story embodies what it means to be an everyday champion who turned to helping young people facing similar challenges in their everyday lives and help others do the same," said Wendy Whal, chief marketing and communication officer for Guardian.
Rogers was diagnosed with a brain tumor just before her 13th birthday. While undergoing treatment, she became involved with the pediatric cancer community and the foundation. She volunteered with the foundation, including dressing as Princess Anna from "Frozen" and teaching young children breathing techniques by blowing bubbles.
Rogers, who is now living in Hampton Bays after pursuing her medical degree at Nova Southeastern University in Florida, returned to Long Island this summer to start her clinical rotations at Stony Brook Southampton.
She works with the foundation as a program manager where she helped launch the program. "Express, Create, Heal," to address psychological needs of pediatric cancer patients and their families.
"I really recognize that there is a gap that exists when it comes to pediatric mental health, especially in the pediatric cancer realm," Rogers said. "We educate children through a really fun and engaging workshop, utilizing the language of play to teach about somewhat complex mental health tools and techniques. When you're speaking with a 3-year-old, they don't necessarily know how to take deep breaths and regulate their bodies, but they definitely know how to play with bubbles."
Rogers met with Wright and told him about her work and idolizing him as a child. He gave her an autographed personalized "Rogers" No. 5 jersey. She was also given a crystal baseball on the field.
Wright said Rogers’ story shows how first responders and healthcare workers embody everyday champions off the field.
"Maybe they don't have the notoriety that a New York Met or an athlete in New York has," Wright said, "but it's finding these men and women and honoring what they're doing behind the scenes … So Bridget I think defines what an everyday champion is."
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
