Before Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care patient Yvonia Battles lost her battle with metastatic laryngeal cancer in December 2013, she had one final wish: to go to an Indianapolis Colts game.
Yvonia had been a devoted Indianapolis Colts for decades. Her fondest wish was to watch her favorite players Quarterback Andrew Luck and Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne play the game at Lucas Oil Stadium – live and in person.
But her failing health and depleted financial resources made her dream impossible.
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That all changed in early November when the Seasons Hospice Foundation granted Yvonia’s wish and gave her two tickets to the Nov. 10, 2013, home game against the St. Louis Rams. Though her beloved Colts lost that day, Yvonia experienced a once-in-a-lifetime thrill.
Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Indiana nurse Rhonda Lyle, R.N., explains how she helped make Yvonia’s wish come true.
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“When I went to see her in early November, she was having a very down day,” Lyle remembers. “I asked her what would make her happy, and she communicated that she always wanted to go to a Colts game.”
The resourceful Lyle immediately contacted her supervisor Amanda Fulford, who put the formal request in motion.
“Within 24 hours, they were working on meeting Yvonia’s wish,” Lyle said. “She was able to go to the very next home game.”
Patient wishes are funded through the generous donations of grateful family and friends of Seasons Hospice patients, explains Marisa Smith, National Wish and Community Relations Coordinator for Seasons Hospice Foundation.
“It is wonderful that Seasons Hospice Foundation can come in and give a little relief to a patient and know that their family is being taken care of. We love to create memories that will honestly last a lifetime for our patients and their families,” says Marisa.
At the game Yvonia and her long-time boyfriend Leroy Thomas were treated to great seats in the handicapped section so she could sit comfortably in her own wheelchair. It was his first Colts game too.
“She was thrilled,” Leroy says of Yvonia’s reaction. “She hadn’t been out of the house for a long time so I didn’t think she’d be able to stay for the whole game, but she did. When they scored a touchdown, she almost jumped out of her wheelchair.”
Seasons also treated Yvonia to an Andrew Luck jersey and Colts earrings so she was completely decked out for the big day!
To add to her delight, several Seasons Hospice team members bought their own tickets and surprised Yvonia at half-time. They also arranged for a poignant message on the Jumbotron. With her Seasons’ friends by her side, Yvonia beamed at the big board’s message: “Seasons loves you, Yvonia Battles. Go Colts!”
Though she could no longer speak, Yvonia expressed her joy through her mile-wide smile and enthusiastic applause.
“I was so excited, I couldn’t breathe,” she wrote before she passed away. “I love the Colts and I never miss watching a game. I am a true fan, and I was even before they came to Indianapolis. I can’t thank (Seasons) enough.”
“It was a very special day,” Leroy added. “We really got the VIP treatment. I’m so grateful to Seasons Hospice for the excellent care they gave her as a patient and for making her wish come true.”
Because of you, Seasons Hospice Foundation is able to make wishes like Yvonia Battles’ come true. For more information about our wish program, please call Marisa Smith, National Wish and Community Relations Coordinator, at 224-277-0965 or visit www.seasonsfoundation.org
