Make-A-Wish Sends Ashburn Boy to Super Bowl
The organization has teamed up with the NFL as part of its mission to fulfill the wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
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Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic has granted the wish of a 13-year-old Ashburn boy named Gavin by making arrangements for him to attend Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.
Gavin is one of a dozen children from around the country with life-threatening medical conditions who wished to attend the Super Bowl, and the generosity of the NFL and other donors made those wishes come true.
Gavin and his family left for New Orleans Thursday for a weekend full of activities, including a private stadium tour, a visit to the NFL Experience Driven by GMC and local site-seeing before they watch the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens faceoff in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday.
“Gavin is poised for an incredible weekend in New Orleans,” said Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic CEO, Laura Caldwell. “We know that wish experiences like these can have a tremendous impact on wish kids and their families.”
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This year marks the 31st consecutive year that a wish kid will attend the Super Bowl. For the wish kids who will be in attendance, attending the Super Bowl represents their one, heartfelt wish; however, the positive impact of a wish-come-true begins long before kickoff. Wish kids often say the anticipation of their wish helps them find strength to continue medical treatments and the memories of the experience itself serve as a constant source of hope and joy.
Make-A-Wish, the NFL, and Super Bowl wishes have a long history. In 1982, the NFL helped Make-A-Wish grant its first Super Bowl wish to a 12-year-old Arizona boy at Super Bowl XVI in Pontiac, MI. Since then, every Super Bowl has been attended by at least one wish kid; more than 130 Super Bowl wishes have been fulfilled during the past 10 years alone.
Founded in 1983, the Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic Foundation has granted the wishes of more than 7,600 children in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia. For additional information, please visit www.midatlantic.wish.org.
Jim
10:58 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Huge thanks to Make-A-Wish for what they do. Gavin is an incredible young man who has been in a battle with brain cancer for over two years. He had surgery to remove a tumor two years ago and after a course of chemo and radiation, the tumor came back and he had surgery again about two months ago. Gavin has endured all of this while still attending as much school as possible and playing sports, including being an all star baseball player. You will not meet a finer young man than Gavin- quiet, respectful and funny and loved by so many.
Please consider donating to Pediatric Cancer causes so progress can be made in fighting this threat to our children. Gavin will be playing in the Kyle's Kamp baseball tournament over Memorial Day and the purpose of the tournament is to raise awareness and funds for Pediatric Cancer research.....please help if you can.
GO GAVIN! WE LOVE YOU!
Todd
11:12 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Heartwarming story. Gavin, stay strong! Enjoy a once in a lifetime Super Bowl game and return to hometown Ashburn with great stories and continue to fight and enjoy your family and friends. Beat Cancer, Beat the Ravens. Go 49ers!
Donnmaria Tucker Killinger
11:36 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
You read about the Make-a-Wish organization and all the children's wishes they make come truebut you never expect to read about a child so close to home.
May Gavin and his family enjoy their Super Bowl experience. May Gavin gain strength and the people of Ashburn attend the baseball tournament to encourage Gavin and to donate to pediatric cancer research so one day, the Make-a-Wish foundation will find no children suffering with ANY TERMINAL ILLNESS.
May the best team win......Baltimore Ravens!
Donna Speckhard
12:56 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Make-A-Wish is an outstanding organization. Gavin is a hero and role model for kids who fight cancer every day and it is a testament to the Rupp family's strong bond and values. Go Ravens! Go Gavin! Both are winners!
Norma Henry
1:13 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
How awesome is that? Such a wonderful dream for Gavin and Family. Tons of kudos respect and admiration to Make-A-Wish, Foundation, simply incredible. Look forward to hearing about your experience. Have fun Gavin and Family and go Ravins!
Leslie Kim
1:38 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Make-A-Wish is a wonderful organization and Gavin is an inspiring young man! Gavin is a blessing to all who know him; I hope his family will be blessed by this amazing experience. Go Ravens!
Rosanna
2:43 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013
Thank you Make a Wish foundation your comitment to kids everywhere is amazing. I know Gavin and his family are great full but we are most of all for giving this amazing , strong, brave, determined young man this amazing opportunity. He loves all sports and truely enjoys watching them. Gavin you deserve nothing but the best. You and your family ROCK!!