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PG to Helicopter into Indy 500 with Riley Kid

INDIANAPOLIS – Two Hoosier traditions will join forces at this year's 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race when "Indiana's Game" meets "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Indiana Pacers forward Paul George will join 14-year old Riley kid Tori Gwyn in an IU Health LifeLine helicopter to fly across the city and land on Turn 1 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The two-time NBA All-Star and his Riley friend will then take a lap around the track in an official Indy 500 pace car and deliver the green flag that signals the start of the race.

Tori, a native of Paoli who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2009, was selected by Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health for this special experience for her display of strength and courage under stress that exemplifies Riley patients. She will ride on the same medical transport helicopter that rushed her to Riley at IU Health on a summer day in 2014 after she developed diabetic ketoacidosis – a life threatening complication that occurs when elevated blood sugar and insulin deficiency causes the body to produce high levels of blood acids called ketones, which act as a poison.

Riley doctors and nurses were able to stabilize Tori and get her back on track, and she has done well at maintaining her insulin management. Today, Tori is an 8th grade student at Paoli Junior-Senior High School who enjoys singing in the school choir. She is looking forward to her first Indy 500 and is eager to meet NBA star Paul George.

Riley at IU Health is ranked by U.S.News & World Report as one of the best children's hospitals in endocrinology and treating diabetes. Thousands of infants, children and adolescents are treated each year for diabetes and other endocrine disorders, including thyroid disease, Turner syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.