Glasgow Youth Receives Make-A-Wish Dream Trip

The Make-A-Wish Foundation recently sent Nikolas "Nik" Herman, the son of Mike and Denise Herman, along with close friend Benjamin "Benji" Phillips to Chicago, Ill. The group traveled from Williston, N.D., to Chicago on July 17 for a four-day dream trip that included some of the Windy City's biggest stars, finest amenities and grandest attractions.

In March of 2014, Nik was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy, which resulted in end-stage renal failure; meaning Nik had suffered kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Nik was on hemodialysis for four months during the school year. That summer Nik underwent a procedure to insert a tube into his peritoneal cavity, and was on peritoneal dialysis until September of 2015. That September Nik received a kidney transplant at the Nebraska Medical Transplant Center in Omaha. While recovering, a representative from the Make-A-Wish Foundation contacted the family, and Nik submitted an application.

In June of 2016, Nik received a letter that his wish was to become a reality. The trip would be four days long, with many activities in the Chicago area, along with attending a Cubs' game against the New York Mets.

After arriving at O'Hare International, the party was chauffeured via limousine to the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Chicago. On Monday, they visited the Navy Pier, and ate at Harry Carey's Restaurant. They took a water taxi to the Shedd Aquarium; after a few hours, they traveled back to the downtown area again via water Taxi. That evening, the family had reservations at Maggianos, a very popular Italian restaurant. When they arrived, a decorated table for Nik and guests included many gifts, a Cubs' "W" flag, a small Cub souvenir bat, several Cub balloons, a Cubs' puzzle, and a picture frame, among other items. Nik and company highly recommend the food and the Maggianos service was great.

On Tuesday, a visit to Willis, formerly Sears, tower was on the schedule. The observation deck was on the 103rd floor. Then another limousine ride to Wriggly Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. Nik and company attended batting practice for both the Cubs and Mets. Nik and Benji sat in the Cubs' dugout and met five players, including David Ross and Anthony Rizzo. Nik received a signed Rizzo jersey, along with signed baseballs, and a Rizzo bobblehead. After the meet and greet, the exciting part of the trip began, when the announcer said "Play Ball." The pitchers for the game were Jake Arietta, for the Cubs, who has thrown two no-hitters in recent years, and Noah Syndergaard, nicknamed Thor, for the Mets. The game was a pitcher duel, with the score only 1 to 1 until the top of the eighth. The Mets scored in the eighth for a 2-1 lead. The Cubs had bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the ninth, but unfortunately, could not pull out a win.

On Wednesday, prior to leaving the hotel, Nik received an Anthony Rizzo shirt from the hotel managers. They took a limousine ride back to O'Hare and flew back to Williston.

Nik and his guests would really like to thank the Make-A-Wish Foundation for the great experience. The scheduling was perfect, and all the personnel were great people to work with. Nik would like to also thank the community of Glasgow for all their support, well-wishing cards, prayers and financial contributions, while he was waiting for his transplant. Nik is well on the mend, and was once again able to be on the baseball field joining past teammates for Reds' Legion baseball. He will travel to Omaha for his one year check-up, and as things are looking so good, will be released to his physician at Billings Clinic for all his future medical needs.