MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WBAY) – Three pediatric patients from Aurora Health Care will travel to Phoenix for a VIP experience at Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training after being surprised with the trip during a visit to American Family Field on Tuesday.
Lucas Connor, 11, of Luxemburg; Andersen Kerls, 13, of Ixonia; and Reece Walters, 15, of Marinette, will attend Spring Training from Feb. 19-22. All three patients have faced significant health challenges.
The all-expenses-paid trip is sponsored by Aurora Health Care, the official health care partner of the Milwaukee Brewers, and the team.
Aurora Health Care and Milwaukee Brewers surprise three young patients and their families with an ultimate baseball fan trip(Aurora Health Care)Spring Training activities planned
During their Phoenix visit, the patients and their families will meet Brewers players, participate in warmups and tour the clubhouse. The three will throw out the first pitch when they are honored during a Brewers Spring Training game on Feb. 21.
Aurora Health Care and Milwaukee Brewers surprise three young patients and their families with an ultimate baseball fan trip(Aurora Health Care)Patient profiles
Connor (Luxemburg) was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma two years ago after losing the ability to walk. Doctors discovered a softball-sized mass in his chest. He spent 35 days in the hospital because the tumor grew quickly and damaged other organs, including his kidneys. Connor has undergone chemotherapy treatments including oral, spinal, leg and belly treatments. He is currently cancer free while continuing to receive monthly chemotherapy infusions and is nearing the end of his oral chemo treatment. Connor plays Little League baseball and football.
Kerls (Ixonia) was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 12 in early 2025 after experiencing stomach pain, weight loss and difficulty eating. The autoimmune disease has damaged his colon and prevented normal growth. Kerls receives bi-weekly injections and manages his diet to prevent flare ups. He is a catcher on his travel baseball team and considers baseball his favorite sport.
Walters (Marinette) experienced an Arteriovenous Malformation that hemorrhaged in his brain in October 2025. The rare condition involves abnormally tangled blood vessels that cause problems between artery and vein connections. Walters immediately underwent emergency surgery to relieve brain pressure and spent two weeks in intensive care having additional procedures. He will undergo a Gamma Knife procedure in early February to treat remaining impacts from the AVM. The high school freshman plays baseball, football and basketball.
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