Kari Barnett Bollig has Stage 4 breast cancer, which has spread throughout Kari’s bones and into her lungs. She isn’t sure how long she has to live. Her story, told by her friend Dana Hunsinger Benbow of the Indianapolis Star, details a letter she sent to Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and his heartfelt gesture:

“I have followed Peyton Manning forever, especially being an Indiana girl,” Bollig said. “I just thought, ‘Well shoot. I’m going to write him a letter and tell him how much he inspires me, not just because he’s a football player, but for what he does off the field.” “It was very personal. It was very heartfelt and I never thought anything of it other than I wrote it and sent it. I didn’t even know he would get it.”

Manning did get it, and he responded by flying Bollig to Denver for the Broncos’ season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

He gave Bollig and her husband tickets to the game, on-field passes, and spent time with her after a team photo shoot. Bollig recounts in the story how Manning chose to introduce himself to her.

“It was so sweet because he shakes my hand and says, ‘I’m Peyton Manning.’ It was cute. It was kind of like, ‘I know who you are Peyton.’ ”

Manning left her with by saying “Keep fighting, Kari. I’ll be praying for you.”