When Soccer Meets Healing: Oakland Roots Players Bring Joy to Young Patients
In hospitals, where the beeping of monitors and the shuffle of medical staff often dominate the soundscape, moments of laughter and joy can feel like rare treasures. But recently, the children at our Oakland hospital were gifted a day filled with those treasures, thanks to two players from the Oakland Roots Sports Club who traded in their cleats for compassion.
Players Gagi Margvelashvili and Ali Elmasnaouy walked into the hospital not as athletes chasing victory on the field, but as role models ready to pour kindness into the lives of children who need it most. Armed with nothing more than their time, their smiles, and a deep sense of humanity, they transformed a typical day in the pediatric ward into something extraordinary.
The visit began with autographs and stickers—simple gestures that lit up young faces with awe and excitement. For children who spend so much of their energy on treatments and recovery, having someone step into their world to celebrate them is more than fun—it’s a reminder that they are seen, valued, and cherished. Each autograph wasn’t just ink on paper; it was a keepsake of hope, a symbol that heroes can wear both jerseys and hospital visitor passes.
But the day was only beginning. As they moved through the halls, the players turned each interaction into something memorable. They joined in conversations, posed for photos, and took time to connect with every child. Then, in one of the most touching moments of the day, they helped celebrate a patient’s birthday.
Birthdays in hospitals are different. They can feel overshadowed by illness, treatment schedules, and the quiet longing for home. But on this day, the hospital room was filled with celebration. The players, hospital staff, and family members came together to sing, laugh, and remind one young patient that milestones matter, even when celebrated in a gown instead of a party outfit. For that child, the birthday wasn’t defined by illness, but by joy and togetherness.
And then, as if the day couldn’t become any more magical, music entered the scene. With the help of facility dog Arnie—a furry companion known for spreading calm and comfort—and his partner, music therapist
The music carried down the hallways, replacing the usual hospital sounds with melodies of happiness. Children clapped, parents smiled, and nurses paused in their rounds to take in the scene. For a few minutes, cancer treatments, broken bones, and chronic illnesses all seemed to step aside, making room for the healing power of joy.
This is the kind of impact professional athletes can have when they step beyond the stadium walls. It isn’t about fame, money, or victory—it’s about using influence to touch lives in meaningful ways. The Oakland Roots have long been known for their commitment to community, but moments like this prove that their roots run deeper than the game.
For the children, this wasn’t just a hospital visit. It was an escape from the routines of medicine, a chance to feel normal, and a reminder that the world outside still cares for them. For the families, it was a gift of seeing their children smile after long days of worry and exhaustion. And for the staff, it was a powerful affirmation that healing isn’t only found in prescriptions and procedures, but in love, laughter, and human connection.
As the players left, the echoes of the day remained: autographs tucked safely away, stickers proudly displayed, a birthday remembered with joy, and the story of “The Soccer Singers” destined to be retold by patients and staff alike.
In the end, it was more than just a visit. It was a reminder of what community truly means—showing up for each other, especially for the youngest and bravest among us.
So, to the Oakland Roots Sports Club, and to players Gagi Margvelashvili and Ali Elmasnaouy: thank you. Thank you for bringing not just entertainment, but humanity. Thank you for reminding us all that while medicine heals the body, kindness heals the spirit. And thank you for proving that sometimes, the greatest victories happen not on the field, but in the hearts of children.
Because on this day in Oakland, joy won.
The Comeback Kid: How Paxton Glaude Defied the Odds
Mark your calendars for May 21, 2026. That’s the day a boy named
Paxton is a boy who lives for baseball. His dreams are as big as the Atlanta Braves stadium, and until earlier this year, his life revolved around practices, games, and the simple joy of stepping onto the field. But on March 3, 2025, everything changed.
“Paxton was being driven home from baseball practice when he was involved in an auto accident,” his grandmother, Terrie Glaude, recalled. The accident left Paxton with catastrophic injuries. “He suffered a traumatic brain injury—nerves were torn throughout his brain—and he had multiple brain hemorrhages,” Terrie explained.
He was airlifted to a hospital in Greenville, South Carolina, before being transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Scottish Rite Hospital. There, doctors and his family faced the unthinkable question:
For weeks, the answers weren’t clear. His mother, Abigail, kept constant vigil at his bedside, praying, waiting, holding onto faith when hope seemed thin. Then, on April 13, 2025—41 days after the accident—Paxton opened his eyes. The first word he whispered was simple, yet profound: “Mommy.”
In that moment, a miracle was born.
Recovery wasn’t instant, but it was steady and determined. Soon, Paxton was sitting up in bed, reading books, and proving he was aware of the world around him. His speech returned. His personality began to shine through again. Then came the grueling rehabilitation—five days a week of hard, painful, necessary work. Slowly, piece by piece, Paxton fought his way back.
On July 3, just one month and one day before his story was shared, Paxton finally went home. Elbert County, a town of fewer than 5,000 neighbors, welcomed him with open arms. Teachers, classmates, coaches, and friends all rallied around the boy they now proudly call The Comeback Kid.
“The folks here in Elbert County have been amazing,” Terrie said with gratitude. “Paxton’s teachers and friends and everyone in town have been by his side.”
Two days ago, Paxton started the 4th grade. He walked into school wearing a shirt that read “God Is Good,” a simple but powerful reminder of the faith and fight that carried him this far. His classmates saw not just Paxton, but living proof of resilience and grace.
The road ahead is not finished. Doctors still want Paxton to take the fall semester to regain his full strength. Rehab continues. There are lingering challenges. But his eyes are fixed firmly on the future, and his dream of playing for the Atlanta Braves is still alive.
First up? Spring baseball 2026. That’s when Paxton plans to step back onto the field, bat in hand, ready to remind everyone what determination looks like.
The boy who once lay unconscious in a hospital bed, his life hanging by a thread, now runs, smiles, talks, learns, and dreams again. He has earned the nickname The Comeback Kid, not just for surviving, but for showing the world that miracles still happen—and that a community’s prayers, a family’s love, and a child’s unshakable spirit can move mountains.
So just wait, y’all. Next May 21st, when Paxton turns 10, the cheers in Elbert County won’t just be for a birthday. They’ll be for a comeback that inspires us all.
