Make wishtv.com your home page

Manning magic evident on the field, at Indy hospital

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – For 18 years, Peyton Manning broke records in the National Football League. It’s also the same amount of time he made a major impact at an Indianapolis hospital.

“We like to say Peyton is a drug in our formulary that makes kids better, and there’s just a magic about it,” St. Vincent Hospital CEO Jonathan Nalli said.

Madeline Helpling knows the magic well. The college student spent three years at the hospital, a place where she received a call from No. 18.

“It was kind of shocking,” Helpling said. “I didn’t really know what to say. I just said, “Hi, Peyton.” And my grandmother was actually sitting next me, and she was saying, “Peyton Manning,” mouthing to me. And I said, “I think so.’”

The phone call only lasted minutes, but it had a profound impact. “It just made me feel good,” Helpling said. “It gave me the extra push to get through treatment.”

Hospital executives said this isn’t uncommon. Even though Manning left Indianapolis four years ago, he hasn’t forgot about his Hoosier roots.

“When he is in town, he soaks up every second possible to make sure that he is having that incredibly positive impact with our patients, with our nurses, with our physicians and our child life specialists,” Nalli said.

With no more games in his future, the hospital hopes Manning will become more involved. Helpling knows firsthand the difference it can make.

But for now, she’s excited for Manning to take some time for himself, after doing so much both on and off the field.

“I watched the press conference earlier, and it had me in tears,” Helpling said. “Just to say that he’s done so much, and you’ve got to let that go. But he made a really great decision, and I’m excited to see what he does in his future.”

Patients won’t have to wait long to see Manning. He’ll be in town in two weeks for the hospital’s gala event.COMPLETE PEYTON MANNING COVERAGE

24-Hour News 8’s Anthony Calhoun is in Denver for Manning’s retirement announcement. Watch WISH-TV Monday for live reports throughout the day.