"Super" baskets give hope to ill children

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - It's exciting that the Super Bowl takes place in Indianapolis this year, but it's also generating some hope in Lafayette.

Spending time in the hospital is never fun for any child, but one organization has helped to fix that. The Fetter family of West Lafayette is proof that even when times get tough, you always have hope.

'Tubies' are all 4-year-old Jackson Fetter knows. A trip to Jackson's pediatrician in May of 2010 changed his life.

"She informed us that they had a bed ready and waiting at Riley Children's Hospital because they believed that he had leukemia,” said Erin Fetter, Jackson’s mother.

Jackson, who was 18-months-old at the time, needed a bone marrow transplant. They discovered that his three-month-old sister Kendall was a 100% match, which Erin said, is less than a 20% chance. It was then that the Fetter family experienced Basket of Hope for the first time.

"Within the first week of us being there is when we received the basket. We actually received it from Coach Caldwell, which was kind of a neat distraction our first week in the hospital,” said Erin.

Baskets of Hope is an organization that gives critically ill children a basket full of gifts. The hope is to inspire children mentally, physically and spiritually.

"In that basket, we received Tony Dungy's book, toys for both kids that were age-appropriate, some music, some books and coloring things. Just things that of course when you're told to go to the hospital right away, you don't think to take with you,” said Erin.

This round, the baskets are Super Bowl-themed, and will include Colts caps, water bottles and other sports-themed items. Seven thousand baskets will be sent to hospitals in all 32 NFL markets, including Lafayette. The baskets will be delivered before February 2, just in time for the big game.

"’Thank you’ isn't quite enough, but it's the only thing we have at this point to say. Hopefully, down the road, when Jackson is in better shape, and we're in the position, we certainly will be doing what we can to give back,” said Erin.

That is something this Purdue fan can look forward to.

"Boiler Up!” said Jackson.

A May 2011 check-up showed Jackson's leukemia has returned.

He received another bone marrow transplant, and is a happy young boy on his journey to recovery.