NICE DAY #12: MINNESOTA Vikings Photographer

We were so excited to grant Nice*Day #12 to one of the most positive humans we have ever met.  Erika experienced cancer at a young age, beating it and going on to serve as a nurse in a children's oncology ward.  Her coworkers enthusiastically nominated her family for a Nice*Day.  
Upon getting to know Erika it was clear she was very passionate about her family and her profession, as well as the Minnesota Vikings and photography.  The Have a Nice Day Foundation team went to work, brainstorming opportunities there could be to merge all of her passions and reached out to the Minnesota Vikings.  A huge thank you to the Minnesota Vikings organization for responding with enthusiasm and providing her with such a wonderful, extraordinary experience.  The exposure from the Nice*Day experience led to further opportunities for the family, including being featured on the Today Show.  
The Vikings granted Erika's wish to be a sideline photographer for a game, pairing her up with the photography team and giving her access to the field during the game.  Her family was able to attend the game, with Erika working the sidelines as a photographer.  
"Erika called it a "dream come true" to don a tan photographer's vest and shoot the entirety of an NFL game from the sidelines.
"It's completely overwhelming, and it's a dream," Erika told Vikings.com upon arriving at U.S. Bank Stadium. "I love the Vikings – I have since I was a little kid – and I just think about how lucky I am."" - Vikings.com
The Minnesota Vikings featured her experience in a story on Vikings.com, including a slideshow of many of the photos she took.  What wonderful moments she captured!

Article + Photos Link: ​https://www.vikings.com/photos/rucks-favorite-photos-from-the-vikings-lions-game
​
Have a Nice Day Foundation also organized an overnight in a nearby hotel to enjoy extra time together, decorating the room, providing lots of snacks and fan gear for the game.  A big THANK YOU to those who have given to Have a Nice Day Foundation to help support this effort.  ​
"My mentality is, I can't change the fact that I have cancer, but I can make the most of it when I'm here. And that's what I plan on doing," Erika said. "I can't live and dwell on the fact that I have cancer. I have to live my life every single day."
​ - Vikings.com
Thank you Erika for all the sunshine you bring to your patients every day, and all of the sunshine you brought to the Have a Nice Day Foundation and Minnesota Vikings teams on your Nice*Day!  Have a Nice Day!
​

ARTICLES FEATURING ERIKA'S STORY:

After's Erika's Nice*Day with the Minnesota Vikings, several media outlets took notice of her story and featured her in upcoming segments.  The Vikings also honored her as a Hometown Hero at a future Vikings game:
A Minnesota Vikings recap, "Photography Experience Means the World' to Oncology Nurse Fighting Cancer"
​https://www.vikings.com/news/photography-experience-means-the-world-to-oncology-nurse-fighting-cancer

Everyone's favorite storyteller, Boyd Huppert, featured her on Land of 10,000 stories: 

LINK: KARE 11: Nurse with incurable cancer stays at bedsides of her young cancer patients
Erika was also recognized by the Today Show for her positive attitude and service to others:

TODAY SHOW LINK: https://www.today.com/video/meet-the-nurse-who-treats-kids-with-cancer-as-she-battles-breast-cancer-92999749675

YT STORY LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac6N7EYv2ec

Boyd Huppert's story on KARE 11 about the Today Show event: ​
KARE 11 LINK: https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/land-of-10000-stories/twin-cities-nurse-with-cancer-surprised-with-new-suv-during-national-broadcast/89-3d470cbc-9466-48a5-9647-d0597ea5ab24
Finally, Erika was honored as a Hometown Hero by the Minnesota Vikings at a later game:
VIKINGS VIDEO LINK: ​https://www.facebook.com/minnesotavikings/videos/hometown-hero-erika-rucks/1869076196567884/