Wheaton's Luke Boba, 9, serves as July 4 Chicago Cubs 'bat kid'

DOWNERS GROVE - Nine-year-old Luke Boba of Wheaton served as the Honorary Bat Kid during the Chicago Cubs game on July 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays at Wrigley Field.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience was sponsored by Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital and Advocate Health Care that provides young patients the opportunity as a way to give back to its patients, families and community.

The bat kid experience was a dream come true for the Cubs fan who not only plays the sport, but also has his own baseball card collection. Outside of his favorite sport, Luke also plays soccer, basketball and golf, enjoys reading and loves playing with his friends and sister.

Luke and his sister, Natalie, 11, attended the Major League baseball game with their parents, Krista and Matt Boba.

The Boba family has been actively involved in the Advocate Good Samaritan community since their children were born at the hospital. Their oldest daughter, Lauren, who was born early at 26 weeks, passed away from complications on Dec. 11, 2004.

"The care we received at Good Samaritan was outstanding," said Krista. "Our daughter, Lauren, was born 14 weeks early with complications, and died on the day she was born. We were surrounded by staff who were trained in supporting bereaved parents and truly cared for and about our whole family. We quickly became familiar with the SHARE program and relied on the support, advice and services it provides to help us navigate the dark days we faced after losing Lauren."

Through the SHARE program, the hospital offers counseling and emotional support to families experiencing grief, loss and challenges during and after pregnancy.

"A year later, when Natalie was born, we had visits from many nurses and other staff members who remembered us and celebrated her arrival with us. We are so grateful for the excellent care we received during the births of all three of our kids. We are happy to give back and support Good Samaritan and SHARE," said Krista.