INDIANAPOLIS -- A Christmas wish came true for nearly 100 chronically ill children across central Indiana on Friday.

The children, who are receiving various treatments from area children’s hospitals, had a chance to go to the Indianapolis Colts Complex to meet Santa Claus and pick out toys.

The Colts’ Gary Brackett signed footballs and took pictures with fans, while Santa Claus took special requests at the 3rd Annual Gary Brackett IMPACT Foundation Holiday Celebration.

Brackett said he knows firsthand how the illnesses can affect entire families because his brother died from cancer, RTV6's Tanya Spencer reported.

"For (the children), they know that people care about them. I think it's something that they will remember forever,” Brackett said.

Parent Julie Medlin said her 5-year-old daughter, Peyton, enjoyed the celebration.

"She lives in and out of the hospital, so this is a nice opportunity for her to be a regular kid,” Medlin said.

At the end of the night, each child picked out a special present to take home.

The children who attended the event came from the Children’s Center of Cancer and Blood Diseases at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent, Indiana University Health North Hospital and Riley Hospital For Children.