Craig and Brittany Parrett took their son Kingston to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh early Tuesday morning due to persistent swelling in his neck. After surgery, Kingston was placed in a hospital bed adorned with Penguins-themed items, reflecting his long-standing admiration for the team.
The family’s devotion to the Penguins caught the attention of a nurse, who hinted at an upcoming surprise visit. Brittany expressed disbelief upon learning that members of the Penguins would visit during their annual trip to the hospital. “I’m like, when I heard they come here one day a year, and we happened to be here?! Things happen for a reason. This made his life!” she said.
Despite being tired from surgery, Kingston eagerly awaited the arrival of Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, Tristan Jarry, Joel Blomqvist, Ryan Graves, and Jack St. Ivany. The players admired Kingston’s Penguins-themed room setup. “We like this setup. Nice blanket!” commented St. Ivany.
Kingston enjoyed interacting with his visitors as they praised his strength and encouraged him to recover quickly so he could attend games soon. “Hopefully you recover fast!” Karlsson said.
The visit coincided with the NHL’s ‘Hockey Fights Cancer’ initiative in November. The players wore purple jerseys that will be auctioned off to support cancer programs at UPMC Children’s Hospital.
Sidney Crosby emphasized the importance of raising awareness about cancer: “I think all of us have people that have been affected by cancer, and the more awareness we can bring, the better.”
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson also visited the hospital and crossed paths with the Penguins players during their stay. He remarked on the unique experience: “I’ve never had this happen!”
Both Crosby and Wilson highlighted their commitment to supporting families facing challenges: “I think we feel fortunate to be in the position that we’re in,” Crosby stated.
