Arthur, an 8-year-old Minnesota native, has been in and out of the hospital for three years battling cancer. He has gone through numerous treatments that cause him to be confined to his bed. After two years of treatment and one year of remission, Arthur’s family found out that his cancer had returned. According to Arthur’s mom Freya, “the hospital and treatments are so much a part of his life that he can’t remember what life was like before it.”  

Due to his fatigue, Arthur struggles with activities, such as running and playing, but he finds joy in crafts, puzzles, games, and playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). He was first introduced to the Pokémon TCG by Kevin, a security guard at Mayo Clinic, who gives Pokémon cards to the children in the hospital. Kevin visits Arthur’s room once a week to open decks and play together. He even makes custom packs for the kids, selecting special cards and keeping their favorites in a binder. Arthur’s favorite Pokémon is Miraidon, a card Kevin gifted to him, and he continues to receive more Miraidon cards whenever Kevin finds them in the decks. Now, Arthur looks forward to going to the hospital because it means he gets to see Kevin and other kids who have become his friends. 

When deciding his wish, Arthur knew it had to be related to Pokémon. Arthur loves giving to others so when he found out he could “give” a wish, he immediately knew what he wanted to do. “I would like to share everything I can with kids and nurses because I want everyone to be happy,” said Arthur. So that is exactly what he did. He decided he wanted to “be like Kevin and hand out Pokémon cards to the kids at the hospital.” 

Soon after Arthur’s decided his wish, it all started coming together with the help of those around him. In August, Arthur started his wish at Coulee Cards & Gaming in Rochester where he and Kevin picked out Pokémon TCG booster packs and plushies to give out to the kids at the hospital. He also purchased cards for his stepdad Tyler to “make his deck better.” Next, he headed to Tilda’s Pizzeria with select family and friends for a private card opening and pizza party. Pi Wood-Fired Pizza donated pizzas for the party and TV consoles/ games were provided, and the PikaSoul (a Pikachu-themed Kia Soul) for all to enjoy. 

“It makes me feel happy. I got to play with my friends and play video games and eat pizza. It made me so happy trading cards and it made me want to trade cards with everyone all day,” said Arthur. 

About a week later, Arthur got to fulfill the second part of his wish, which was to give out Pokémon cards and plushies to kids and staff at the Mayo Clinic Hospital. Pokémon plushies were donated by toy-manufacturer Jazwares and The Pokémon Company International and delivered to the hospital. “The stuffies were so great; I couldn’t even stop sharing them! It made me so happy I got my wish,” exclaimed Arthur. 

“I’ll never forget walking into the hospital atrium. Arthur saw all the stuffies and toys and ran up to them squealing ‘they’re so cute! I love them!’ He grabbed the closest one, looked around the room and beelined to the nearest kid, shoved the stuffie into their arms, and said, ‘You need this one! He’s great!’”  

Since his wish day in August, Arthur continues to build decks and trade his cards with people around the hospital. Coulee Cards & Gaming, the game store that participated in his wish, is starting to plan Pokémon events so Arthur will be able to find even more friends to play with. 

“Arthur’s wish helped bring us all joy and was a great reminder to find the joy in the time we have,” said Freya. “Arthur talks about his wish all the time. The Make-A-Wish staff and volunteers were so sweet and helpful; it was so nice to have them arranging everything so I could focus on Arthur. It was incredible to watch his idea of sharing what he loves turn into something big that touched everyone who got to participate.”