I wish to have a sport court in my backyard
Luke
16
cancer
Luke's wish to have a sport court, our chapter's 4,000th wish!
Luke shooting a basketball on his new sport court
16-year-old Luke from Wake County has always enjoyed spending time with his family and being outdoors playing sports. Luke has autism and participates in Miracle League Baseball. When Luke’s mom, Denise, watched him run the bases during one of his games, she noticed a mark on his neck. At first, she assumed it was ringworm and didn’t think much of it, but then she noticed it was a lump and took Luke to the doctor to have it checked. That was how Luke got diagnosed with leukemia in 2019.
Luke’s diagnosis and chemotherapy treatments changed life as they knew it for Luke and his family. Luke hates needles and likes routines, so he had to adjust to a new normal. His medical team at UNC supported him throughout his treatments and did their best to help him adjust, but it was not easy. Going through treatment, Luke could no longer do some of things that he used to love, and in 2020 the covid-19 pandemic further limited the activities Luke could enjoy.
Luke wished to have a sport court in his yard so that he can stay active and enjoy playing sports and games with his siblings even during these times where he must stay at home. Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina partnered with Carolina Sport Court to build a multi-purpose sport court in Luke’s yard where he can play basketball, tennis, volleyball, and other sports.
Once we got the estimated date that the court would be completed, we realized that Luke’s wish was going to be the 4,000th wish that Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina has granted! Luke’s family and Carolina Sport Court were as excited as we were to hear that this special wish would also mark an important milestone for our chapter, and we began planning a celebration to recognize Luke and 4,000 wishes. Even though celebrations look different these days, we were still able to bring together some of our wish community, a couple of our friends from Carolina Sport Court, and, of course, Luke’s family to enjoy an afternoon of socially-distanced fun on Luke’s new court. Luke and his brother, Matthew, shot baskets and our community cheered with Luke every time he made a shot. Luke’s enthusiasm and joy to have a place to play with his brother was visible to everyone there. We’re sure that Luke will enjoy his sport court for many years to come with his family and friends.
