Bloomington Herald-Times
February 2, 2012
'Super baskets' cheer kids at IU Health Proton Therapy Center
By April Toler
February 2, 2012, last update: 2/2 @ 12:35 am
With ziplining, concerts and untold celebrity sightings, downtown Indianapolis is no doubt filled with excitement as fans eagerly await Sunday's Super Bowl XLVI.
But on Wednesday, volunteers brought a little of that excitement to some children at the IU Health Proton Therapy Center in the form of gift baskets filled with games, books, sports memorabilia and more.
"I think it's awesome," said Yaislandis Avila, mom to 4-year-old Nayali Elizabeth, who is receiving treatments at the center. "(Events like this) get them inspired to come here."
The baskets were all part of the Super Baskets of Hope program, which will deliver 7,000 baskets to critically ill children in each of the country's NFL markets and throughout Indiana.
At the IU Health Proton Therapy Center, Amanda Burnham, marketing and development manager for the center, said the staff was excited to be a part of the special program.
"We are just thrilled to be a part of this," Burnham said. "(It's about) little things that we can do to help make it easier not only on the child but on the parent. These little perks are absolutely priceless for them."
As the LifeLine ambulance delivering the baskets pulled up to the building, the eager children flocked to a nearby window, not sure exactly what was happening but excited to find out.
After the baskets were lined up in the center's lobby, the children excitedly dug through their gifts with a giddiness similar to Christmas morning.
That was definitely the case for Nayali, who got in on the action shortly before her daily treatment.
Nayali, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2010, began receiving treatments at the center in January.
Like most of the center's patients, Nayali's family traveled to Bloomington specifically for the proton treatments. They live in Rochester, Ind.
Nayali's mom, Yaislandis, said having special events and a playful atmosphere makes the experience a little brighter.
"It's good for them to have some surprises and some fun activities," she said.
Brandy Williams' 6-year-old daughter Allison was another child excited to receive a "super basket."
Allison, whose family is from South Point, Ohio, came to the center about three weeks ago, after she suffered a relapse of rhabdomyosarcoma -- a cancerous tumor of muscles that are attached to bones.
As her daughter rummaged through the puzzles, notebooks and other goodies that filled her basket, Williams said little surprises such as the gift baskets are a great way to add a little fun to her daughter's treatments.
"Making it as playful and as normal as you can, that's what's helped her," Williams said.
Although the children were clearly happy with their gifts, volunteers such as Jen Griffin, marketing planner for IU Health, were also smiling ear-to-ear as they delivered the baskets Wednesday morning.
"It's great to be able to bring some of the Super Bowl excitement to kids who probably need a big smile at a really important time," she said. "They are going through things that really no one should have to go through, and to be a part of something that puts a smile on their faces is something really special."
