Getting rocked!

JR Graham takes the field and meets the team at spring training
Hannah Gross
NLJ Intern
 
Newcastle’s J.R. Graham, a cancer patient at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora, had the opportunity to go Phoenix, Arizona, to watch the Colorado Rockies at their training camp, with the hospital’s oncology team and 23 other teenage cancer patients. According to Jessica Graham, J.R.’s mom, the patients came from various states, including a girl from Rapid City, South Dakota, whom J.R. keeps in touch with. 
No parents were allowed to go, so it was just the doctors and nurses who accompanied the kids. George Graham, J.R.’s dad, said the kids all met at the hospital before heading to the airport. Once at the airport, they decided to have a little fun.
“We got in trouble by security,” said J.R. He explained that he and the other kids, along with some of the medical staff, decided to have a race but got “busted” by security for running. J.R. said that was his favorite part of the trip. 
His second favorite part of the trip was the weather. J.R. said it was 60-70 degrees all week. While that may be a heat wave for Wyomingites, Graham said, a fire was started when the temperature dropped to the low 60s. He humorously added that the others would never survive in Wyoming. 
During J.R.’s stay at the hospital this past summer, he met Rockies’ third baseman Nolan Arenado and catcher Tony Wolters. He exchanged phone numbers with Wolters and continues to keep in touch with him. 
“He’s been texting J.R. like once a week,” George said. 
J.R. was able to meet up with Arenado and Wolters again at the training camp. He also met “Digger” the mascot. He and the other kids even got to play on the field, J.R. said. As souvenirs, all the teens who went on the trip received a Rockies’ suitcase, along with a hat and jersey with their names on it. J.R. even got to keep a ball that had been hit by Arenado. 
But watching the training camp wasn’t the only adventure the teens experienced. They had a week filled with nice hotels and transportation. 
“We stayed at a hotel that had nine pools,” said Graham, who explained that they had the choice to either swim or play golf. Graham said he chose swimming and swam in all nine pools. The teens could also play badminton and ping-pong and enjoyed cooked dinners every night. 
Another special treat was the transportation. J.R. said they rode in the “most fanciest bus,” which had reclining seats, hardwood floors, and movies to watch.
On the last night, the staff and kids had a “party” and stayed up until 2 a.m. watching movies, J.R. said. 
Although it was a one-time deal, J.R. said it was a fun experience and he would do it again if given the chance. Both he and his parents said they were grateful for the opportunity.