The Carolina Panthers won’t make the playoffs this season despite going to the Super Bowl last year, but that hasn’t stopped quarterback Cam Newton from spreading some holiday cheer.
Newton, the NFL’s 2015 Most Valuable Player, stopped by to visit a young fan in the hospital who is scheduled to have surgery this week.
Austin Deckard, a fifth-grader at Lakewood Elementary School, has advanced pulmonary hypertension, a life-threatening disease without a cure. With surgery upcoming, the 10-year-old’s only wish was to meet one of his hero’s.
Sitting in his hospital bed, Deckard was stunned as Newton walked into his room and then up to his bed. The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner delivered some goodies as Deckard was given an Under Armour bag before the two embraced and then chatted like they were long-lost friends.
For Taylor Deckard, a 10yo boy battling a severe heart condition, his Christmas wish was to meet @CameronNewton. Today his wish came true. pic.twitter.com/1MNmpdNLk4
— Auburn Tigers (@AuburnTigers) December 28, 2016
“I thought I had an unknown number,” Newton told Deckard, “but, dude, I’ve gotten about 100 calls about you.”
Deckard’s wish was possible thanks to his teacher (Courtney Cooper) who used social media to help his wish come true. Below is the full text of the Facebook post:
“I don’t normally post things like this but this special little guy needs our prayers in a big way. This is my student, Austin. Just 3 short weeks ago, Austin’s life was changed forever. He was diagnosed with advanced pulmonary hypertension. His prognosis is not good. He will have a procedure done next Wednesday that the doctors fear he may not make it through. Please pray for a miracle.
**The 2nd thing I am asking of you is to SHARE this post to help one of Austin’s wishes come true. Just before Thanksgiving, I was headed to an Auburn football game. Austin was in awe of this. He also told me he “wished Cam Newton could come to his birthday party.” Austin may not ever make it to an Auburn football game but I know social media is a strong force that can make things happen. Let’s use it for something positive and spread this like wildfire and somehow, someway get the word to Cam Newton and give this precious little boy his wish.“
