Cubs infielder Addison Russell greets Vanessa Hernandez, 7, of Bartlett, an Advocate Children’s Hospital patient.
B-roll camera footage of Advocate Children’s Hospital patients interacting with the World Champion Chicago Cubs is now available for download at https://we.tl/n0XVl0eF1f
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 to visit Cubs’ Spring Training in Mesa, Ariz. 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 including autograph and photo sessions.
“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.
“He’s going to remember that for the rest of his life,” said his dad, Jeff Beer.
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.
Names, ages, hometowns and Advocate Children’s Hospital campus locations where the patients were treated:
- 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.
For more photos and videos, visit Advocate Children’s Hospital on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @AdvocateKids.
