Tim Tebow Visits CURE Hospitals—Where Children Are the True MVPs

“When you walk into a CURE hospital, you feel the
presence of God and there’s something special.” —Tim Tebow

Four years ago, when Tim Tebow visited CURE’s hospital in Zimbabwe and stood on the site of the children’s recovery ward, it was only a dirt field. Earlier this year, when he returned, he stepped into a joy-filled building packed with moms singing and kids recovering from surgery.

That is the power of partnership. And it’s just a glimpse of the incredible ways God is using Tim Tebow and his foundation to transform the lives of children with treatable disabilities.

A Partnership Changing Lives

For more than 13 years, CURE International and the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF) have partnered to serve children living with treatable disabilities, bringing life-changing surgery and the love of Jesus to kids who might otherwise go without care.

“I’m passionate about kids with profound medical conditions because I think God is, and He’s called us to say yes to helping the afflicted,” Tim says. “And I think when you walk into a CURE hospital, you feel the presence of God and there’s something special.”

The journey first began in the Philippines, where TTF helped launch Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital in Davao City. Since opening in 2014, the team has performed nearly 15,000 surgeries and shared the love of Christ with children in need.

The partnership expanded to Zimbabwe, where the foundation began supporting life-changing surgeries and helped establish the Tebow Care Center, a brand-new children’s ward, which doubled the hospital’s capacity to serve more kids. The foundation also funded Timmy’s Playroom, a space within the ward where children continue healing through play, friendship, Bible stories, games, and crafts, making it a place of both recovery and ministry.

Then, in 2023, our partnership grew again, this time to CURE Children’s Hospital of Ethiopia, where the Tebow Spine Center opened its doors. To date, in partnership with both TTF and African Mission Healthcare, 180+ children with scoliosis and other complex spine conditions have received specialized surgeries and postoperative care.

Tim’s recent visit included a stop at CURE Ethiopia, where he saw the Tebow Spine Center—outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment—observed a complex spine surgery, and spent time encouraging children recovering from procedures that are restoring mobility and changing the course of their lives.

“This partnership is helping us reach thousands of children in Ethiopia who are suffering from scoliosis,” said Dr. Tim Nunn, Medical Director at CURE Ethiopia. “By supporting surgeries and expanding the spine program, we’re also training more surgeons, so the impact will continue to grow.”

Demonstrating the Love of Jesus

The foundation’s visits to CURE Ethiopia and Zimbabwe coincided with Night to Shine, a global prom event hosted by the Tim Tebow Foundation, which rolls out the red carpet (literally!) for children with special needs to feel like kings and queens for an evening. CURE’s hospital teams were honored to help host this event that helps every child feel celebrated and loved.

As Tim likes to remind them: In Christ, they are masterpieces.

“We can’t do this alone,” Tim said. “But when believers come together and say yes to helping those who are hurting, we can make a huge difference.”