Carson Palmer Children's Hospital Visit: Raiders Quarterback Visits Sick Kids In Oakland (PHOTOS)

Just days before heading off to training camp, Raiders quarterback, Carson Palmer, stopped by the Children's Hospital in Oakland to visit his biggest fans.

The NFL star visited patients, families, staff and donors on Saturday.

(SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS)

Palmer was introduced to the crowd by Marlon Orellana Enriquez, an eight-year-old patient at the hospital who was diagnosed at birth with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes premature fusion of the skull, inhibiting brain growth. Orellana-Enriquez received an autographed Palmer jersey in return.

"Nothing is more painful and heart wrenching then to see children suffer," Palmer told the San Francisco Business Times. "The work being done at Children's Hospital Oakland is not only touching and life changing, it is also vital and necessary."

The Oakland pediatric hospital is in the midst of an effort to raise funds for a $450 million redesign, starting with a seismic retrofit. Construction is expected to commence in mid-2014, and will include an expansion of an existing outpatient clinic.

Palmer offered some advice on the hospital's efforts, speaking from his personal experience. "I try to set short-term goals that are attainable in order to accomplish the big picture goals. It's the culmination of those short-term goals that get you big results."

Scroll through the slideshow below to see Palmer with the kids and other local athletes who have visited the Children's Hospital.