BOSTON – The Boston Celtics partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to provide five children with VIP treatment and admission to the game against the Clipper Monday evening.
When a wish comes true it can feel surreal, like that magical moment when you meet your hero who just happened to be Jayson Tatum, star of the NBA champion Celtics.
The encounter left 16-year-old Chance Johnson almost speechless. “No, no, I never thought I would experience something like this, it’s definitely a lifelong experience,” Chance said.
Add to that the courtside conversation with Jrue Holiday for six-year-old Mason Hood and expectations were far exceeded. “I feel really excited, happy that I was able to see them,” Mason said.
You see, Chance and Mason were among five brave children who battled serious illnesses. Chance has aplastic anemia and Mason was diagnosed with severe hemophilia. b.
Make-A-Wish, the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and Fanatics, official sports partner of Make-A-Wish, all worked together to turn their dreams into memories they will cherish forever.
‘This is surreal for us’
“Now that he’s going through what he’s been through, it feels like one of those fighting moments. He needed something,” said father Wesley Kier. “And basketball was always his thing to let him drive through it, so yeah, this is surreal for us.”
For their parents, seeing their joy reminds them of the power of hope, courage and a little Celtic magic.
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“Keep pushing, keep doing what you love and keep doing what you enjoy and be the best you can be,” Mason’s father Seth Hood said.
Mason was so confident that his favorite team would reach No. 18 that he almost missed the story all the way from his hometown in Canada.
“Very proud,” said Mason. “I was happy that they won. I fell asleep in the last quarter, so then I woke up and saw that they won, and I was happy.”
Even though Chance is a Floridian, his love for the Celtics runs deep.
“Like when I was born, my dad always talked about Robert Parish, and I would go up and look up his highlights and watch them, and then I also found Larry Bird and I loved watching Larry Bird. When Jayson Tatum went against Duke, I followed him,” Chance said.
It’s more than just basketball. It is an experience that celebrates their courage and wishes, an experience they will never forget.
This was the third year Make-A-Wish partnered with the Celtics for Make-A-Wish Night. They hope more will follow.
Tammy Mutasa
