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Peyton Manning flew fan dying of breast cancer to Denver for season opener

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

In an incredible act of kindness, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning flew a fan dying of breast cancer to Denver for the team's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

Kari Barnett Bollig, a longtime fan of Manning, is in stage 4 of breast cancer. The disease has spread throughout her bones and into her lungs, and doctors have told her that there's nothing they can do to stop it.

Instead of coming up with a bucket list, Bollig decided to write a series of letters to people who have impacted her life, including family, friends, school teachers, and Manning.

The following is an excerpt from an open letter written to Manning by Bollig's childhood friend, Indianapolis Star reporter Dana Benbow:

This past weekend, Kari was treated to two days at Mile High Stadium in Denver, where she watched Broncos players get their team photos taken Saturday, sat in on walk-through practices, took a tour of the facility.

She was given tickets to the Broncos vs. Ravens game Sunday and sideline passes for before the game - all left for her by you. Your name is right there on the envelope; never mind an "l" is missing from her last name.

Because when she met you, well, her heart melted.

"He walked right over after he got his picture taken," Kari said. "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.'"

You spent 10 minutes with Kari and her husband of 12 years, Ed (who, in a tragic twist, lost his first wife to breast cancer). You talked to her. You took her mind off of cancer, just for a bit.

"It was real easy and laid back, not at all nerve-wracking," she said. "He's welcoming. He's like a gentle giant. It was such a personal moment. It was a once in a lifetime thing."

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