INDIANAPOLIS — Several young patients at Riley Children’s Hospital received the surprise of a lifetime this week after learning they were gifted tickets to attend Taylor Swift’s sold-out show Sunday night as the popstar’s The Eras Tour makes its final U.S. stop in Indianapolis.
After answering questions only die-hard Swifties would know, the highlight of the Taylor Swift-inspired event arrived Wednesday when 16 patients were told that they would be attending the concert from their very own Swift suite at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday night.
The announcement was the result of a collaboration featuring the Riley Children’s Foundation and Denny Excavating, which provided the suite tickets.
“When this opportunity came up for us, my initial thought was that one night we would give to the Riley kids no matter what,” said Lora Denney from Denney Excavating. “Just seeing their faces, just knowing they can go, it was priceless. It was absolutely priceless.”
Among the lucky attendees was 12-year-old Emma Sully from Fort Wayne, who received a heart transplant at Riley Hospital shortly before Christmas Day in 2022. Sully’s mother said listening to Taylor Swift has helped her daughter navigate the uncertain moments of her hospitalization.
Ja’isaibella Boyd, 7, of Evansville also received a ticket, which is fitting considering she has used Taylor Swift as a source of inspiration while struggling with the effects of sickle cell disease.
Charily Carty, 11, of Clinton, was also told that she would be attending the sold-out show. Carty received treatment at Riley for severe early-onset scoliosis after being diagnosed with Beals-Auriculo Osteodyplasia Syndrome. Carty has made it a habit to wear homemade Taylor Swift bracelets during her treatment.
Another patient who was told she would be seeing Taylor Swift perform in person was 15-year-old Brilea Southard of Terre Haute, who has been recovering in Riley Hospital for the last 325 days following a severe car crash last December.
“I just cannot believe it, it’s a dream come true,” said Southard.
