Riley Kids Surprised with Taylor Swift Tickets

It was rare, Riley kids were there.

Last week Riley patients/Swifties were surprised with an experience of a lifetime: tickets to the final U.S. stop of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Riley kids received the news at Riley Hospital for Children just days before the concert when they attended what they thought was just a Swift themed party. While playing “Taylor Trivia,” they found out they were attending Sunday’s concert thanks to a generous donation from Denney Excavating.

One of the attendees was Emma Sully from Fort Wayne, who received a heart transplant in December 2022. “I literally can’t stop crying right now,” said Sully. “I have no words. I’ve seen it on TV, but in real life? Are you kidding me?”

DeAndria Powell of Evansville, mother of Izzy Boyd who is a Riley patient with sickle cell disease, shared how she was overwhelmed with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The family started loving Taylor Swift when they would sing “Shake It Off” to try to shake off any pain crisis from Izzy’s blood disorder.

“I don’t think I could talk for a few minutes, just in awe,” said Powell. “She and I have never had an experience like this. This is a lifelong memory that Izzy and I will always share.”

Relive the surprise with us, and find out how you can get involved with Riley Children’s Foundation.