Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island to Grant 11,000th Wish
 

4-year-old cancer patient to save Marblehead through superhero wish

MEDIA CONTACT / TO REQUEST WISH PHOTOS & VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
Make-A-Wish:  Heather Davidson, hdavidson@massri.wish.org, 781-526-4165

Sunday, March 29, Marblehead, MA, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Recommended Media Opportunities (Times are approximate):
12:30 p.m. – Marblehead Light for JJ’s victory mission
(Chandler Hovey Park, 4 Lighthouse Lane)
1:00 p.m. Seaside Park for 11,000th wish celebration
(Park entrance is between #16-#22 Wyman Road; street parking is on Wyman Road; JJ’s event will be behind the baseball diamond and grandstand)

Please note: Parking in Marblehead is very limited; the recommended media opp locations listed above have limited onsite parking. B-roll and photos from JJ's missions earlier in the day will be available from Make-A-Wish upon request.

www.massriwish.org/superjj 
Facebook.com/MassRIWish  Instagram.com/MakeAWishMARI

On Sunday, March 29, 4-year-old Jackson “JJ” Weiss of Marblehead will have his wish granted as he becomes a superhero for the day. JJ’s wish marks the 11,000th wish granted by Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The organization’s mission is to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses and JJ’s wish also marks the launch of World Wish Month, celebrated each year in April to raise awareness and support for Make-A-Wish.

Less than a year after the town of Marblehead declared May 3, 2025, Make-A-Wish Day, the community will once again come together in support and celebration of a local child receiving a wish.

About JJ: JJ was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor in late 2024 after a visit to his local emergency room for persistent headaches. He was airlifted to Boston, where he began treatment immediately and underwent an 11-hour brain surgery just three days later. Over the past 15 months, JJ has endured intensive treatment, including high-dose chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and radiation. Following complications from surgery, he was mute for 6 weeks and needed to regain use of his arms and legs. Now, even as he continues with intensive treatment, JJ is strong and active. On his good days, he can be found biking and riding scooters with his twin brother, Luke. 

Throughout his journey, JJ’s family has always seen him as a superhero – affectionately calling him “Super JJ.” When he was too weak to play, JJ created and listened to superhero stories, developing his own Super JJ character. What began as simple bedtime stories became a meaningful part of his medical journey and a powerful coping tool during difficult moments. During procedures, Super JJ heads out on a rescue mission, always saving the day. To support him as his questions grew, his preschool teacher even created a story featuring Super JJ, with cancer cast as the “villain.” For his wish, JJ wants to be a real superhero for the day. His mom, Sam Weiss, says that JJ’s wish day will be a chance to celebrate his strength, bravery, and to give him even more reason to keep fighting.

On his wish day: JJ will be tasked with saving the town of Marblehead through a series of missions. The villain Triple Z will be lulling townspeople to sleep with his evil lullabies so that he can take over the town. Super JJ and his teammates – brother Luke, 4, and sister Ellie, 18 months – will be called upon to stop the villain. They’ll be guided by Super JJ’s mentor, Super Coach.

Many local businesses and organizations and Make-A-Wish supporters will participate in JJ’s wish day. Super Coach will be played by Make-A-Wish Massachusetts Wish Coordinator Colin Vigneault of West Springfield, MA. The villain Triple Z will be played by longtime supporter Dave DeJohn of Winchendon, MA, a former professional wrestler and the District Manager for Hannaford Supermarkets, which supports the nonprofit in several ways. Super JJ will be alerted to the trouble in town through a faux newscast created by the team at NBC10 Boston. Costumes for Super JJ and his siblings were custom made by Ana Penuelas of Marblehead, MA. JJ’s Make-A-Wish volunteer team, Nicole DiGirolamo of Danvers, MA, and Susan DeMarley of Ipswich, MA, also assisted in planning the wish and supporting JJ throughout his wish journey.

Planning for the day was supported by Andie Jewett (Project Management), James Hough (Art Direction), Ryan Raulie (Art Direction), Steve Salgado (Art Direction), Catherine Sheehan (Strategy), Steph Schreier (Media), Tom Foley (Production) and Eran Lobel/Element (Post Production). Transportation for Super JJ and his family will be provided by Michael’s Limousine of Peabody, MA, and North Shore resident Joe Tabbi, who has a custom race car.

EVENT FLOW (times are approximate and subject to change):

The public is invited and encouraged to come cheer Super JJ and his sidekicks on his route through Marblehead.

  • 10 a.m. – Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Assistant Wish Program Manager Maddie Delande, a Marblehead native, arrives to the Weiss family’s home, plays a video letting Super JJ that his assistance is needed to save the town
  • 10:30 a.m. – Super JJ and team arrive at Marblehead Outfitters to pick up their custom costumes
  • 10:45 a.m. – Super JJ and team arrive at Mud Puddle Toys, their headquarters for the day, where they’ll meet Super Coach and hear about their first mission
  • 11:15 a.m. – Super JJ’s first mission takes place at Saltwater Books, where he’ll wake the sleeping employees and have story time
  • 11:45 a.m. – Super JJ’s second mission brings him to Shubie’s, where he’ll wake the cook and have a snack break to fuel up
  • 12:30 p.m. – The final mission will take place at the lighthouse, where Super JJ will capture Triple Z; members of the Marblehead Police Department will be on hand to take Triple Z away in handcuffs
  • 12:45 p.m. – Super JJ will assist the police officers in placing Triple Z in a holding cell at Marblehead Police Station
  • 1:00 p.m. – Community members are invited to Seaside Park for a “press conference” and celebration to thank Super JJ for his heroic efforts and the reading of a proclamation declaring Sunday, March 29, 2026 Superhero Day for Super JJ