Patients ‘grinned from ear to ear’ at the chance to meet favorite players
Baseball season came early this year for a few of the Chicago Cubs’ most devoted fans.
As part of their annual caravan tour, Cubs members visited Northwestern Memorial Hospital oncology patients and their families on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
Patients were able to meet players including Welington Castillo, Koyie Hill, Micah Hoffpauir, and Brett Jackson, as well as coach Lou Piniella and Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly.
Hospital staff hosted a reception for Cubs members and patients, and then players broke up into groups to visit individual rooms and sign autographs.
Pat Murphy is the director of oncology nursing at Northwestern and has participated in the Cubs Caravan event for five years.
She noted this year in particular, more patients were physically able to come out of their rooms to attend the reception and meet the entire group of Cubs players.
“The patients were grinning from ear to ear; they enjoyed every single minute of it,” said Murphy.
“For a few minutes that day it took their minds away from what they are here for.”
Murphy added seeing Cubs players interact with patients was a gratifying experience for the entire staff.
“The fact they could take time out of their busy schedules to do this on behalf of our patients was amazing,” said Murphy.