INDIANAPOLIS – Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent proudly celebrated Dwayne McKinley Jr., a remarkable young patient from Crane, who was honored as the Honorary Fever Ball Kid during the Indiana Fever home game on June 14th.

Dwayne had the incredible opportunity to enjoy courtside access during warm-ups, meet Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham, and see his story showcased at halftime on the video board—an unforgettable experience recognizing his strength and resilience.

Dwayne was admitted to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent from Evansville in respiratory distress with pneumonia. He quickly decompensated and was on maximal medical management to maintain oxygen levels. Dwayne was placed on VV ECMO to support oxygenation and ventilation while his lungs recovered. He was on ECMO for 39 days and continued on vent support after ECMO with intense therapy.

Dwayne was in the hospital for 119 days before being transferred to a rehabilitation facility where he spent one month. Dwayne has recovered fully to become an energetic, fun-loving, smart boy! His journey is a testament to the outstanding care provided by the dedicated doctors, nurses, and support teams at PMCH.

“Ascension St. Vincent is committed to delivering compassionate, world-class care to children facing tough medical challenges,” said Stephan Masoncup, Chief Strategy Officer at Ascension St. Vincent. Honoring Dwayne as the Honorary Fever Ball Kid is a reminder of the resilience and hope that drive everything we do.”

The Honorary Fever Ball Kid program continues to shine a spotlight on the bravery and determination of PMCH patients, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to compassionate pediatric care and meaningful experiences.