More than 50 kids’ wishes came true at Reliant Center when World Wrestling Entertainment superstar John Cena showed up for a pizza lunch and a special fan session.
The 50 kids and their families came from all over the country to take part in the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania in Houston, and somehow, Cena was able to make each of them feel special.
“Moments like this are special for me,” Cena said. “As long as Make-A-Wish wants me, I’ll be happy to keep granting wishes.”
Based on the response from the kids, Cena may be granting wishes for a long time. The children cheered, shook his hand and hugged the wrestling superstar as he spent a little one-on-one time with each of them. Cena also signed hats, shirts and books.
It was an afternoon these children would never forget. In fact, some of the older ones were texting and calling their friends right after meeting the wrestling superstar to share the news.
That’s because the kids had no idea they were going to personally meet Cena until that moment.
“I didn’t know I was going to meet John Cena until just now,” said Paul, who was there with his brother, grandfather and mother. “Not until they called my name to go up and meet him.”
Paul Wilson was just one of the children at the event. He was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition a couple of years ago.
“They flew my family and I down from Indiana,” said Paul. “It’s my first time seeing the WWE live. I’ve only seen it on TV.”
Over the weekend, the kids had a private tour of the Houston Zoo, an autograph session with the WWE Superstars and Divas, a special WrestleMania Axxess event and of course, the Make-A-Wish pizza party with special guest John Cena.
Paul’s grandfather, William Wilson, says the entire event came as a surprise. (Paul is the boy in the orange t-shirt and glasses in the photo).
“They asked if we were available this weekend and flew us out first class from Indiana. It’s been nice. We didn’t need to worry about anything,” said Wilson.
Watching the kids laugh and smile, you almost forgot that each of them had a life-threatening condition, including Paul.
“They found a tumor in my brain when I was 16. That’s when I joined the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said Paul.
Paul was one of the luckier kids in the room as his condition is currently in remission. His grandfather said that after they found the tumor, Paul underwent intense radiation treatment.
“He just had a MRI and it came back clear. So we’re hoping it stays that way,” said Wilson.
But just in case the tumor does return, the family is thankful for each day and especially for the support they’ve gotten from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“The foundation has been really wonderful. I can’t say enough good things about them,” Wilson said.
