STHS Children’s Revving Up for a Special Visit, March 6th

Mega Doctor News

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It’s a simple fact: most children love cars and racing. The captivating colors, thunderous sounds and fast movement associated with racing provide exciting sensory stimulation to boys (and girls) of all ages, especially those who have a fascination with monster trucks.

Founded in 1992, Monter Jam® has become one of the most popular live motorsport events in the United States. Featuring specialized off-road vehicles with heavy duty suspension, four-wheel steering, large-displacement V8 engines and oversized tires, Monster Jam has captured the attention and curiosity of children across the country, including those in the Rio Grande Valley.

On Thursday, March 6, the pediatric patients at South Texas Health System Children’s will have the opportunity to experience monster truck magic without leaving the hospital grounds.

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In advance of Monster Jam’s action-packed tour stop at Hidalgo’s Payne Arena this weekend, STHS Children’s is partnering with Feld Motor Sports to welcome two Monster Jam all-star drivers, Blake Granger and MJ Solorio, to the facility for a special meet and greet with patients in the facility’s care. 

“STHS Children’s is committed to providing quality, compassionate care that goes beyond the medical. Through the facility’s Child Life Program, we’re able to offer our patients a welcome distraction from their hospitalization with partners like Monster Jam,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations, South Texas Health System. “We’re revved up to welcome MJ and Blake – two of the motorsport event’s all-stars – to the facility to interact with our patients and provide some full throttle fun!”

Early in their daredevil careers, Blake Granger and MJ Solorio were avid followers of Monster Jam. 

Blake began his championship career racing ATVs, drawing the attention of Monster Jam talent scouts. In 2019, he was crowned the ATV Racing Champion at Monster Jam World Finals XX. In 2024, Blake was named the Breakout Driver of the Year and earned his spot in the World Finals by being crowned the International Series Champion. Most recently, he was crowned the 2024-2025 Monster Jam International Series Champion.

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MJ, meantime, is a Monster Jam University graduate who was well-versed in the world of Monster Jam prior to his first day of classes. He worked his way up helping an independent team before finally getting his chance to debut behind the wheel of El Toro Loco in September 2023, where he picked up a racing win in only his third event. 

“The best thing about being on the road with Monster Jam is getting to meet all the fans in all the difference cities we go,” says MJ. “I love seeing the smiles my performances bring to the fans’ faces.”

Along with getting to meet Blake and MJ, patients will have the opportunity to get a close-up look at one of the authentic trucks used in Monster Jam competitions, Monster Mutt Dalmatian, which happens to be the truck Blake currently uses in competition. The mechanical beast will be parked in front of the facility for easy viewing by patients in the facility’s tower.

Additionally, the patients will receive Monster Jam flags, hats and earmuffs, courtesy of Feld Motor Sports, as well as Monster Jam minis provided by the Auxiliary to South Texas Health System. 

The Monster Jam meet and greet will take place from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the STHS Children’s third floor pediatric playroom.

Following the in-hospital visit, Blake and MJ will head outside to meet with the children of STHS staff members, as well as kids from across the community from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., with Monster Mutt Dalmatian parked on the hospital grounds until 6:00 p.m. for photo opportunities with community members.

For more information, contact the STHS Marketing Department via email, sthsmarketing@uhsinc.com, or call 956-388-2020.

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