10/09/13 In June 2012, PHS student Hope Banghart was diagnosed with a rare mutation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Hope received chemotherapy treatments for three months and a bone marrow transplant from her sister Christine.
A straight A student, Hope was invited to join National Honor Society last year despite spending much of her sophomore year at the hospital and resting at home. She hopes to attend Notre Dame to become a pediatric oncologist. She loves music, school and football season.
The Plymouth High School junior served as the official Riley Coin Toss Kid on Sunday, October 6th as the Colts battled the Seattle Seahawks at 1 p.m. This was Hope’s first Colts game. Hope and her family received four tickets and limousine transportation to Lucas Oil Stadium. She also received an autographed Colts photo and a personalized Colts jersey. She took part in the coin toss alongside National Football League referees and captains from each team.
Hope was joined by Riley Hospital patient Matthew Dyer, Wolcottville, Ind., for the coin toss. This opportunity was made possible thanks to a partnership between Riley Hospital for Children and the Indianapolis Colts.
Annually, nearly 5,500 Riley Hospital patient visits involve families from Marshall and surrounding counties.
