I wish to throw the first pitch at a Cardinal’s game!
Sid
12
Kidney Disease
Sid's Cardinals Wish
From the moment he could talk, Sidney Debnath has never shied away from the spotlight. Whether he’s watching Jeopardy with his parents and two older sisters, diving into history, or keeping rhythm on the drums, he makes his presence known. A true baseball fanatic, he proudly honors his family’s St. Louis roots as a devoted Cardinals fan.
Sidney’s love for the game led him to Little League, but he’s just as comfortable under the bright lights of the theater stage. He’s starred in school productions like Beauty and the Beast and The Jungle Book, bringing his natural charisma and energy to every role. His talent isn’t limited to acting—Sid is also a drummer, adding music to his ever-growing list of passions.
But just as Sidney was making his mark in so many ways, life threw him an unexpected challenge…
Strength Through the Struggle
For nine years, Sid was a perfectly healthy, active kid. Then, in February 2022, everything changed.
After contracting a run-of-the-mill virus, Sid suddenly took a turn for the worse. During a family trip to Mexico, he was lethargic, had difficulty breathing, and was unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong. His dad (who happens to be a physician) was concerned but assumed it was another passing illness.
After returning to Orlando, Sidney seemed to be recovering. He was even well enough to attend a long-awaited school field trip. But on the way home, something changed. He fell asleep, and when he woke up, he vomited and was covered in a rash. His parents rushed him to the hospital.
The moment the doctors came back with Sidney’s lab results, his parents knew something was terribly wrong.
“They came back with that look that I’ve seen many times and I’m sure I’ve given many times that you don’t want to see on a doctor’s face,” recalls Nick, Sid’s father.
Sid’s kidneys had failed and his platelet count had plummeted. The doctors were surprised that he was lucid enough to answer their questions. Sid was admitted to the ICU immediately to undergo emergency dialysis.
Fortunately, a nephrologist at the hospital had an immediate diagnosis: atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a rare disorder that causes severe inflammation and blood clots in the kidneys. Left untreated, it could have been fatal. His family later learned that if Sidney had gotten any sicker while still in Mexico, he might not have survived—the life-saving medication he needed, Soliris, wasn’t available there.
Throughout it all, Sidney took everything in stride, never losing his positive attitude or his sense of humor. His family never doubted that he was a fighter—but even they were in awe of just how resilient he truly was.
Sid’s All-Star Wish
As a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, Sid knew immediately that his wish had to involve his favorite team and favorite sport. What started as a simple desire to attend a game quickly transformed into something even bigger—the chance to throw out the first pitch at Busch Stadium.
To add to the excitement, Sidney learned that his wish would be granted at the Wishmaker’s Ball in Orlando. Albert Pujols—one of his favorite Cardinals players—made a video announcing that his wish would be granted!
From the second Sidney and his family arrived at the stadium, he was treated like a true VIP. The Cardinals gave him the ultimate experience, taking him behind the scenes for an exclusive stadium tour, batting practice, and meet-and-greets with some of his favorite players, including his hero, Lars Nootbaar. He laughed and joked with the team, collected an incredible haul of Cardinals swag—including a signed bat, a custom jersey with his name on it, and more.
Finally, it was time for the main event. The team mascot drove Sid onto the field, where he was met with cheers from the crowd—a surreal moment for a kid who had spent months in a hospital bed, dreaming of a day like this.
With the entire stadium watching, Sidney stepped up to the mound and delivered the first pitch, officially kicking off the game. From that moment to the final inning, Sidney and his family soaked in every second of what they called “a perfect day,”
Paying It Forward
Today, Sid is thriving. His kidney function is nearly normal, and while he still receives infusions every eight weeks, he’s back to doing the things he loves—playing music, acting, and, of course, cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Looking back, Sid and his family are overwhelmed with gratitude. “It really opened his eyes,” recalls Mom, Tiffany. “He could tell how many people had to come together to make this happen.” His experience wasn’t just about baseball or meeting his favorite players—it was about feeling seen, celebrated, and supported after facing one of the most difficult challenges of his life.
Now, Sidney is looking ahead—not just to his own future, but to how he can give back to Make-A-Wish. Inspired by the generosity and joy he experienced, he’s eager to help other kids feel the same hope and excitement that his wish gave him.
Every wish takes a community of donors, volunteers, and supporters to bring to life. If you’d like to help make more dreams come true for kids like Sidney, consider donating or getting involved with Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida® today.