Local Kids With Serious Illnesses Win Cubs Spring Training Trip

ILLINOIS — Seven suburban children who suffer from serious illnesses learned last month they had won an all-expense-paid trip to spring training in Arizona to meet Chicago Cubs players. The group was expected to fly to Phoenix on Thursday, would meet with the time and have one-on-one time with Cubs players and then attend the spring home opener at Sloan Park in Mesa, according to the Daily Herald. Advocate Children’s Hospital, the Chicago Cubs, American Airlines and Sheraton Hostels joined forced to make the trip possible.

Angel Martinez, 9, of Lake in the Hills, and Kyrell Nodora, 11, of McHenry, were among the patients who, along with their families, learned they had been selected to take the trip, according to the Daily Herald. Other patients, and their families, that will join them include: Morgan Meiszner, 13, of Orland Park; Mia Martin, 11, of Kankakee; Jonathan Holiday, 13, of Bartlett; Joey Pachowicz, 11, of Norridge; and Billy Southerton, 11, of Des Plaines.

The suburban children learned they would be headed to Mesa earlier this week.