An all-star team of nine Advocate Children’s Hospital current and former patients, ages 7-14, and their families, were gifted the experience of a lifetime with a visit to Cubs’ Spring Training in Mesa, Arizona recently.
Advocate Health Care, American Airlines and the Chicago Cubs sponsored the group’s all-expenses-paid trip, which included time playing ball on the field with Cubs players and behind-the-scenes experiences with the World Series Champions!
“Wow! He’s got a better swing than Rizzo!” Cubs pitcher Pedro Stop said of 10-year-old Kaden Beer, who hit four home runs off him. Kaden’s father, Jeff Beer said, “He’s going to remember that for the rest of his life.”
Dr. Joanna Lewis, Advocate Children’s Hospital pediatrician, along with a care team of nurses and child life specialists, joined the patients and their families. A total of 36 individuals took the 24-hour overnight trip, enjoying breakfast at the ballpark, a tour of Cubs Spring Training facilities and activities and games with Cubs players at the Advocate Kids Zone on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
The names, ages, hometowns and Advocate Children’s Hospital campus locations where the patients were treated are:
Olivia Gryson, 8, of Elgin, was treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Park Ridge campus.
Daniel Rodriguez, 9, of Elmwood Park, was treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Park Ridge campus.
Vanessa Hernandez, 7, of Bartlett, was treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Park Ridge campus.
Saida Trznadel, 11, of Carpentersville, was treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Park Ridge campus.
Aidan Balow, 11, of Des Plaines, was treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Park Ridge campus.
Talia Freund, 14, of Mazon, was treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Park Ridge campus.
Peyton Kirk, 10, of Homer Glen, was treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Oak Lawn campus.
Omar Alhindi, 14, of Burbank, was treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Oak Lawn campus.
Kaden Beer, 10, of Sterling, was treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Oak Lawn campus.
