How You Can Help
Donor Hits Grand Slam With Fellow Patients
September 2008
Sixty-three year old Michael Barlow has been to a lot of Major League Baseball games in his life, but none like the one he attended in July at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
“I grew up in New York City and went to a lot of baseball games, but I have never had such good seats as these,” said Barlow.
Barlow, a patient at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, was treated to a Major League Baseball game compliments of more than 30 Houston Astros Diamond Club season ticket holders who donated their seats for patients and their caregivers.
The seats are considered the best in the house and cost approximately $350 each per game.
“My wife and I were in the second row and we could see the batter and the batter’s box,” said Barlow. “We truly felt like we were right there on the field.”
The Diamond Club ticket donation was the brainstorm of fellow M. D. Anderson patient and donor Brian Wing of Wing Aviation. In February, Wing was diagnosed with two brain tumors. It was while he was at an Astros game that he came up with the idea.
“I was at a baseball game and was in a very positive place,” said Wing. “I thought that most people don’t get to do this.”
Wing called a few friends and by word of mouth, the Diamond Club seats were donated to M. D. Anderson’s Night Out at the Ballpark. Approximately 130 patients, caregivers and some of their family members were treated to the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Thirteen year old Emily Parker was thrilled and excited to be treated to the game, said Charles Parker, Emily’s father.
“It was quite exciting for her and she was very attentive to the game,” said Parker. “She was truly impressed with the service and the hospitality she received.”.
Despite the 2-8 loss to the Bucs, Barlow and his wife had a great time..
“We also had access to the dinner buffet and during the game a waitress came by and everything was free,” said Barlow..
Wing was very happy that he was able provide fellow patients with the opportunity to do something outside of the hospital..
“It really became a great effort for me and I hope maybe we can do it again next year,” he said.