Dodgers' Freddie Freeman Donates $1M to Children's Hospital

Freeman and his wife Chelsea fund new Exploratorium at Rady Children's Health Orange County after son's recovery from illness.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and his wife Chelsea have donated $1 million to Rady Children's Health Orange County, formerly known as CHOC, to build an Exploratorium at the hospital. The donation comes after the Freemans' son Maximus was treated at the hospital for a rare neurological illness in 2024, from which he made a full recovery. The Freddie and Chelsea Freeman Exploratorium will provide a space for children receiving care at the hospital.

Why it matters

Freeman's donation and the creation of the Exploratorium highlight the player's commitment to giving back to the community, especially after his family's personal experience with the hospital's care. The gesture underscores Freeman's leadership role both on and off the field, as the Dodgers pursue a third straight World Series title.

The details

In 2024, the Freeman family endured a frightening period when their son Maximus was diagnosed with a rare neurological illness. After receiving treatment at Rady Children's Health Orange County, Maximus made a full recovery. Grateful for the care their son received, the Freemans donated $1 million to the hospital last year, which was used to build the Freddie and Chelsea Freeman Exploratorium.

  • In 2024, Maximus Freeman was diagnosed with a rare neurological illness.
  • In 2025, the Freemans donated $1 million to Rady Children's Health Orange County.
  • On February 19, 2026, the Freddie and Chelsea Freeman Exploratorium was named and had its ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The players

Freddie Freeman

A 36-year-old first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers who has been a key part of the team's pursuit of a third straight World Series title.

Chelsea Freeman

Freddie Freeman's wife, who partnered with him in donating $1 million to Rady Children's Health Orange County after their son's recovery.

Maximus Freeman

The son of Freddie and Chelsea Freeman, who was diagnosed with a rare neurological illness in 2024 and made a full recovery after receiving treatment at Rady Children's Health Orange County.

Rady Children's Health Orange County

The children's hospital in Orange, California that treated Maximus Freeman and received a $1 million donation from the Freeman family to build the Freddie and Chelsea Freeman Exploratorium.

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What they’re saying

“As parents, Chelsea and I have experienced firsthand the importance of specialized pediatric care through our journey with our son, Max. That experience inspired our commitment to @chocchildrens and @chocfoundation to help ensure other families never have to worry about where to turn when their child needs care. We're grateful to be part of creating a brighter future for kids and families.”

— Freddie Freeman (Instagram)

What’s next

The Freddie and Chelsea Freeman Exploratorium at Rady Children's Health Orange County will open to patients and their families in the coming months.

The takeaway

Freddie Freeman's donation and the creation of the Exploratorium at Rady Children's Health Orange County demonstrate the player's commitment to giving back to the community, especially after his family's personal experience with the hospital's care. This gesture underscores Freeman's leadership role both on and off the field as the Dodgers pursue a third straight World Series title.