Thursday, October 1, 2026
Long Beach Resident Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium and received a $20,000 donation on behalf of the Smile Rescue Fund — an organization providing craniofacial surgeries to children in need.
The New York Yankees were celebrating their 17th annual HOPE week — Helping Others Persevere & Excel — and honored Sibomana-Rodriguez and The Smile Rescue Fund on June 16. “We feel grateful that the Yankees would partner with the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids for such a good cause,” said Dr. Leon Klempner, founder of the Smile Rescue Fund. “With that money, we will be able to bring over another child.”
Sibomana-Rodriguez was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At age six, he survived a brutal chimpanzee attack in Virunga National Park that left him with severe injuries, including facial trauma that required over a dozen surgeries.
“He came from a very violent experience,” said Klempner. “Kids could go one of two ways. They could become very introverted, very shy and sensitive or they could be resilient and tough. He comes from that resiliency with the surgeries. He’s had quite a number of them. With each one, he became more and more confident.”
Sibomana-Rodriguez graduated from Long Beach High School this year and will attend the University of North Carolina in the fall. He has solidified himself as a local legend on the wrestling mats, winning five Nassau County titles and three New York State championships, inspiring others with his story along the way.
“I hope people see that you should never judge a book by its cover,” said Sibomana-Rodriguez. “It’s not about who you are on the outside, it’s about who you are on the inside. Everybody should know that.”
Along with the donation and first pitch, he met Yankees Captain Aaron Judge along with David Bednar, Paul Goldschmidt, Ben Rice, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Volpe and assistant pitching coach Preston Claiborne to celebrate his perseverance.
“I always knew him as being one of the best captains, and I’ve always looked up to that,” explained Sibomana-Rodriguez. “As a varsity wrestler, I’ve been trying to follow in those footsteps and be a great captain for my team.”
