Make-A-Wish Iowa delivers the ultimate Super Bowl LVII experience for Matt from Dubuque, Iowa
Matt and 16 other wish kids will go to the game in Arizona, the birthplace of Make-A-Wish and the global wish granting movement in 1980
URBANDALE, IA (Feb. 3, 2022) - Make-A-Wish kid Matt, an 18-year-old who underwent a liver transplant from Dubuque, IA, will have his wish granted at Super Bowl LVII in Arizona courtesy of Make-A-Wish Iowa. In partnership with the National Football League (NFL) and other corporate sponsors, Make-A-Wish has created an unforgettable itinerary for Matt and the 16 other wish kids who will be traveling to Phoenix from 15 different states.
The experience kicks-off on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at a welcome celebration where Matt will first meet and get to know the other wish kids and their families. The following evening, Matt will brush shoulders with the NFL’s biggest stars on the red carpet at the NFL Honors event. On Friday, Matt will get a private, behind-the-scenes tour of State Farm Stadium and have free time to show off his football skills at the Super Bowl Experience. The excitement doesn’t stop there as the next day will include back-to-back, fun-filled parties at Dave & Buster’s, courtesy of the Arizona Cardinals, and Topgolf, a national sponsor of Make-A-Wish since 2016.
The experience will culminate in Matt stepping inside the stadium to watch as the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles and AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs go head-to-head in pursuit of the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy on Sunday, Feb. 12.
“The Super Bowl is already one of the most anticipated days of the year, but it means even more to our staff, volunteers and supporters who understand the life-changing impact of the wishes being granted at the game,” said Sara Kurovski, CEO, Make-A-Wish Iowa. “For Matt, we hope that the trip provides him with the strength and inspiration needed to face whatever challenges come his way.”
Wishes involving the NFL started shortly after the founding of Make-A-Wish in 1980. The first wish that the NFL granted was for John Paul Serna, a 12-year-old Arizona boy who attended Super Bowl XVI in 1982. The wish was the 9th ever in Make-A-Wish history, and in the 41 years since, more than 300 wishes have been granted at the Super Bowl with hundreds more wishes having been granted through the 32 teams and their players.
To learn more and find out how you can get involved, visit https://wish.org/iowa.