Michigan State men’s basketball stars give a special message to the patients of Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Share your own “high-five” video or photo message of encouragement at highfiveforkids.org. See additional photographs and read more about the MSU basketball stars’ special visit.
Nicolette Simpson, 13, high fives Michigan State University basketball players at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
MSU star Miles Bridges hands Marcus Thomas, 11, the ball Bridges and other players autographed for a patient during their visit Tuesday, July 18, to the hospital. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Alex McCready, 16, gives a thumbs up with five players from the MSU men's basketball team. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Tyson Smallegan, 8, gets a fist pump from a MSU men's basketball player during a visit. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Zillah McCay, 3, smiles as she looks up at the MSU basketball players during a visit to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Nicolette Simpson, 13, gives Michigan State's Joshua Langford a big hug. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Marcus Thomas, 11, visits with the MSU men's basketball team. Thomas is being treated for burns. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Khrishna Taylor shakes hands with Michigan State's Xavier Tillman during the basketball team visit. Taylor's son, Kaivon Eskew, 16, is being treated for severe brain damage after an accident. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Grace Mackenzie Green, 10, high-fives Michigan State's Miles Bridges. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Michigan State's Matt McQuaid signs a patient's basketball. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Michigan State's Matt McQuaid, left, and Miles Bridges, right, talks with Marcus Thomas, 11. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Michigan State's Joshua Langford smiles while visiting with a patient. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Jenny Steinhoff,13, holds Santa's hand as she visits with him and Mrs. Claus during the "Christmas in July" event in the Balk Cafe. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Spectrum Health Security K9, Cain, gets a belly rub during the Christmas in July event at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Brother and sister Nathan and Nicolette Simpson stick together as they choose a rubber duck prize. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Emoni Pinegar, 3, is snug in a warm blanket as her lighted lei glows during the party. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Noah Strout, 8, plays tug-a-war with Spectrum Health security dog Cain. Noah's sister couldn't make the party as she was in surgery. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Dylan Brown, 14, smiles as he visits with members from the MSU men's basketball team. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Ana Cuellar, 9, right, along with her brother and sister, Cesar and Alejandra, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
The MSU men's basketball team visits with Johnathon White and his children Johnathon, 4, and Zillah, 3, at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Omari Peak, 10, high fives Spartan players Matt McQuaid, Joshua Langford and Jaren Jackson. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Alex McCready sat in his hospital room, decorated with a Spartan-green basketball theme, when suddenly the real deal appeared before him.
Five towering Michigan State University players walked in and surrounded the 16-year-old boy’s bed, greeting him with hellos and smiles. Alex looked up and beamed.
In the hospital’s Balk Café, kids followed a “Candy Land” path through a field of treats. They picked up candies, played carnival games and created crafts. They even had a chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
It’s very special to me to put a smile on the kids’ faces. It’s definitely heartwarming.
Xavier Tillman MSU freshman
The basketball players greeted kids at the event on the main floor, and then went upstairs to visit some patients in their rooms.
Alex, a Spartan fan “since day 1,” said his parents kept the visit from the basketball players a secret until they walked in the door. But it took just a hot second to recognize his heroes.
“When you see five giant guys walking in, you get the hint,” he said. “It was amazing. I’ve always wanted to meet them. I never would have thought that would happen.”
Alex, who is from Sault Ste. Marie, admired the players’ willingness to visit patients to boost their spirits.
“I think it’s amazing they do so much for the community,” he said. “It’s awesome.”
The teammates also met with Nicolette Simpson, a 13-year-old sports fan from Howard City. She gave each player a warm hug.
“I never thought I would meet them in my life,” she said. “You guys are so good.”
The visit made a big impression on the players, as well.
“When I was 12, I got diagnosed with bacterial meningitis,” said Joshua Langford, a sophomore guard. “Being able to do this is just great because I remember how I was feeling when I was sick. So just being able to put a smile on another kid’s face is great.”
Xavier Tillman, an MSU freshman and a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School, said this was his first visit to a children’s hospital.
“It’s very special to me to put a smile on the kids’ faces,” he said. “It’s definitely heartwarming. It’s amazing to me that I got put in a situation to be able to make kids smile like this. This is just the greatest feeling.”
Learn more about patient care at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Send encouragement to patients in the form of a photo or video message at highfiveforkids.org or with #highfiveforkids.