JoJo’s Hockey Wish Come True
Since JoJo was a baby, hockey has been in his life. From the time he could walk, he’s played the game. He loves hockey so much his family temporarily converted their living room to a hockey rink.
“Simply put, he’s obsessed,” said his mom, Ann. “He wants to play at every possible opportunity.”
Hockey has always been a staple in their house. Games and highlights steadily stream on their television screens – and their team has always been the Carolina Hurricanes. They didn’t think they could be bigger fans, but then JoJo’s wish was granted, and now their adoration for the team has a new, deeper meaning.
Only a couple weeks before JoJo’s second birthday, he received his first Hurricanes jersey. That’s around the same time their family’s world turned upside down.
JoJo fell and hit his head, so his parents took him to the pediatrician. He was fatigued and had a fever. They ran some bloodwork and waited for the results.
That’s when they received a devastating call. “We knew it wasn’t good at that point,” said JoJo’s father. They told us to not waste any time and go straight to Seattle Children’s.”
He was admitted immediately. Hours later, they had an answer: it was cancer.
“It was like being in a wind tunnel,” said Ann. “You see and hear things happening around you, but it doesn’t register. It was a blur.”
While in the hospital, hockey was an infusion of joy throughout JoJo’s cancer journey. They would watch the Hurricanes while they were inpatient and talk about their favorite players. It was a happy distraction.
When they found out JoJo qualified for a wish, they talked to JoJo about what that meant. Thinking about what he could wish for was an injection of excitement into their arduous days.
JoJo wanted to meet his favorite player on the Hurricanes, Sebastian Aho. And so, when Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington called back, they told their wish-granting volunteers what JoJo had decided.
From that day forward, when JoJo would see Aho on the television, he could imagine taking the ice with him by his side.
When JoJo’s wish day finally arrived, it was a dream come true.
JoJo’s mom said his wish trip was the best thing to ever happen to JoJo. He got to meet his favorite hockey player and was treated to a VIP experience by the Hurricanes. Every interaction was so special.
“The Hurricanes were so generous with their time. We couldn’t have dreamt it up. It so far exceeded our expectations,” said Ann.
JoJo didn’t just get to meet his favorite player – he was a Hurricane for the day. He got to tour the locker room, hang out with the players and play on the ice. The next day, he attended a game with his family and was a lucky charm for the Hurricanes who went on to win the game.
He won’t remember the pokes or the port, but he’s going to remember that Make-A-Wish helped him meet Aho, and they made his wish come true.
Ann, JoJo's mom
“I really don't know how to say thank you. We are all beyond grateful. Truly, words do not exist,” she said. “It’s something he will never forget,” she continued. “He won’t remember the pokes or the port, but he’s going to remember that Make-A-Wish helped him meet Aho, and they made his wish come true.”
JoJo’s wish was a celebration for all he’s overcome, and it was a chance for their family to put cancer behind them.
“We’re on a new trajectory,” said JoJo’s father. “We have happier, better days ahead.”
Now, when JoJo see Aho on television he cheers with delight and says, “That’s my buddy.”
“The wish was a chance for our whole family to take a collective breath,” said Ann. “We have been on high alert since cancer came into our lives, but we took this opportunity to rest and truly enjoy ourselves. There are no words to express our gratitude.”
Thank you, Carolina Hurricanes, Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina and wish-granting volunteers Marisha McDowell and Michael Giovanola for helping to make JoJo’s wish come true.