HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Payton Bernhardt is a 10-year-old girl from Evansville who is battling juvenile dermatomyositis, or JDM, which is an auto-immune illness.

In October of 2021, Team Impact, a nonprofit organization that delivers a trip of a lifetime to March Madness. This is Payton’s second trip, and she and her family couldn’t be any more grateful.

“You know she’s had a lot of hard days with infusions and going through this diagnosis,” said Payton’s father Matt Bernhardt. “So just to see her smile and to have, you know, this bond with the team really boosts our spirits. And just like I said, we’re just so thankful that we had this opportunity. So just to express how happy we are and to see her enjoy this and have those smiles.”

“I’m just grateful for the Hoosiers and Team Impact,” Payton said.