Multiple Indianapolis media outlets covered Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent’s first Halloween party with the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association.
Pacers players Victor Oladipo, T.J. McConnell, T.J. Leaf and Alize Johnson arrived dressed respectively as Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Prince, Superman, a tall turkey, and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. The NBA players joined Pacers mascot Boomer, cheerleaders the Pacemates and Pacers staff (including two-time American Basketball Association champion Darnell Hillman) to display their costumes, enjoy treats and decorate pumpkins with patients. Dressed as Prince, Oladipo sang the flamboyant singer’s hit “Purple Rain” at the party.
“It means everything to come and spend time with the kids here,” McConnell told WISH-TV. “We’re out working hard every day, and I think people take for granted what we have and we come in here and just try to put a smile on their face and make their day.”
Coverage featured remarks by Lauren Brankle, DO, a pediatric hospitalist at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent, who said special visits like this can boost morale for patients and their families during a hospital stay, especially when it means they can’t participate in a traditional holiday activity.
The visit was also covered by WTHR on Facebook (twice), Fox 59, CBS 4 Indy, Wish-TV on Facebook and NBA.com.
