Local Wish Kid Featured in ESPN’s “My Wish” Series on SportsCenter

Make-A-Wish and ESPN have joined forces again for the 16th edition of the “My Wish” series that kicks off at 8 am (EST) on Sunday, July 16, during the airing of ESPN’s SportsCenter. The series will highlight inspirational stories of four children with critical illnesses whose wishes to meet their sports heroes provided them with hope and strength in the midst of their medical battles.

One of those children is Alden, a 16-year old with lymphoma from Davidson, NC, whose wish to meet Dustin Poirier, a professional mixed martial artist, was recently granted. The team at ESPN was able to capture everything – from the initial surprise when Alden learned his wish was coming true – to the life-changing day when he met Dustin Poirier. Tune in to Alden’s wish on ESPN this Tuesday, July 18 at 6 pm EST! For more, visit wish.org/mywish or espn.com/mywish.

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Meet Wish Kid Alden

Wish kid Alden is a kind, athletic 16-year-old from Davidson with cancer. Alden likes cookies n’ cream ice cream, everything Marvel, his cat Buddy, rap music, video games with friends, and baseball. Alden also *LOVES* UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).

While Alden was undergoing the rigorous and intense cancer treatment process, he tweeted a video to Dustin Poirier, a famous UFC fighter. Poirier responded with encouragement, brightening Alden’s mindset during a difficult time. So, it was no surprise that Alden’s wish was to meet Dustin Poirier in person!

For Alden’s wish, he and his family jetted off to Ft. Lauderdale to meet up with Poirier, where he was training for his upcoming fight at UFC 291. There, Alden and Dustin were able to talk and hang out throughout the day! 

After the wish, wish parent Kevin said, “We all had an amazing time in Florida, and Alden is still beaming after meeting with Dustin on Friday… The look on Alden’s face is one I will never forget.” We are so happy that Alden loved his wish trip and was able to meet Poirier.

At Make-A-Wish, we see the power of wishes every day and how they can bring joy and hope to the toughest and darkest of places. Together, we can watch Alden’s wish unfold, thanks to ESPN. As one of four wish kids featured meeting their favorite sports hero, Alden's wish will be shared Tuesday, July 18 at 6 pm (EST) on SportsCenter. Tune in Alden’s wish and the whole series!

For more, visit wish.org/mywish or espn.com/mywish.