My Wish: Aberg remembers surprising his best friend Katie at Seattle Mariners gameBy: Bryce AbergKATIE AND I spent a lot of time playing together. Travis Etienne Jr. College Jersey . The earliest memories I have of Katie were playing at her house while my mom got her hair styled by Katies mom. Around age 7, I ended up playing baseball with her dad as my coach. Of course, Katie was on the team as well, and Coach Frank treated her the same way he treated everyone else. She was always the most energetic ballplayer, but she could be intense on occasion; I wouldnt be the first to call her a firecracker. However, regardless of the outcome of a days ballgame, she was always happy to be with her friends -- the team.I first learned there was something wrong with Katie when my mom told me she had collapsed and was in the hospital. I was barely 12 at the time. We learned later that she had a rare form of brain cancer. I talked to Katie on the phone, and it was clear she only saw chemotherapy treatment as a bump in the road. She was a confident girl, even in the face of adversity.Katies wish was to bring her old team -- some of her closest friends -- back?together to watch a Seattle Mariners baseball game. The wish was simple, and for Katie it was perfect because it combined the two things she loved: her friends and baseball. I was ecstatic when I learned I was going to see all of my friends again, but moreover, I would get to see Katie. Everything else was just icing on the cake.On Katies wish day, my former teammates gathered in the outfield at Safeco Field. They were told I would not be able to attend because I had moved to Franklin, Tennessee, the same year Katie and her family moved to eastern Oregon. Except on that day, I was actually standing behind the center-field wall. As the announcer told my friends there was a surprise waiting for them, the wall opened and I ran to Katie. The most memorable part of the entire day came as Katie and I were hugging. She couldnt believe that I was actually in front of her, which prompted me to repeatedly tell her, Im here! Im here!The rest of the day is summed up in the original video segment of her Wish. The next day, however, would be the last time I saw her as we played catch near her hotel. True to our nature, we got into a small competition of who can throw harder while tossing the ball around. It makes me happy that my last moments with her were baseball-related.My mother told me of Katies death when she picked me up from school in the car almost a year later. The reality of her death didnt settle in until a couple of weeks later while I was lying in bed and finally came to terms that my best friend had passed. Those who have felt a similar pain know that realization is not fun.I used to only be able to look at Katies Wish from a childs perspective. It used to be difficult for me to understand the importance of Katies Make-A-Wish experience in the context of everything else going on in her life at the time. As Ive grown older, Ive realized that being able to forget about illness for a day to just have fun is a priceless experience for a child and their family.Katie, you will always be my best friend.My Wish: LeBron JamesBy: Thiago DEliaFOR AS LONG as I can remember, I have loved the game of basketball. It has been a therapeutic tool for every difficult situation Ive encountered. Basketball was light on a dark day and a friend when I felt lonely.My freshman year of high school, I made the school basketball team. I practiced for hours every day to improve my skills. One day while playing, I was accidentally hit by a teammate. Thinking that I might have pulled my groin, I kept on playing. The pain increased until I realized something was not right. I decided to tell my mother.She took me to the local emergency room, where the doctor discovered two tumors on an ultrasound. Within a few days, I had a cancer diagnosis. I will never forget the day I was told I had this awful disease.Soon after my diagnosis, I started a journey I never thought possible. It included surgery and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy made me feel as if I were not myself. I could not do any of the things that were natural daily activities. I couldnt walk, run, eat or get out of bed without assistance.That was the lowest point of my life, physically and mentally. I would think to myself, You just have to make it through today. Just worry about today. I feared that I wouldnt wake up to see a new day. I felt as if I were dying.Two Make-A-Wish Georgia volunteers came to my house to talk to me. I shared my story and my passion for basketball. I shared my love for the Miami Heat and my favorite player, LeBron James.I had my mind set on only one wish: to meet LeBron James and the Miami Heat. It was a long shot, but that was my only dream and true wish. Make-A-Wish Georgia contacted us often to assure us that they were doing everything possible to grant my seemingly impossible request.After patiently waiting, the day finally arrived. As I entered my house, I was surprised to find an ESPN TV crew. Two Miami Heat dancers greeted me at the door and handed me a CD. I put the disc into the player and was amazed to see LeBron James inviting my family to fly to Miami. My excitement could not be contained.My family and I flew to Miami. At the American Airlines Arena, I toured the locker rooms and training facility. We watched live practice. I had to pinch myself as I watched LeBron shooting baskets a few feet from me.After practice, head coach Erik Spoelstra called my name. I ran to the team huddle and met the players. Then LeBron invited me for some one-on-one playing time. For more than an hour, my favorite sports figure and I played basketball together.We talked about my high school and my basketball team. I asked him questions and threw alley-oops to him, and we had a 3-point contest. Later, LeBron presented me with several gifts to remember our time together.The next day, I was courtside watching a game next to the Miami Heat bench and cheering my team on. I was able to greet the players as they left and returned to the bench throughout the game.As if everything I had experienced were not enough, LeBron came over and presented me with his game shoes and autographed them for me after the game.A few weeks later, the Heat won the NBA championship and invited me to join them for their celebration. This was the wish that kept on giving. I will never forget that weekend. Not only was it an amazing experience to play my favorite game with the NBA Champions, but also it was closure from the most horrible time of my life.During my treatment, I constantly asked my mother, Why me? Why did I get cancer? After that incredible weekend in Miami, I found myself asking, Why me? What did I do to deserve such an amazing gift?Make-A-Wish Georgia truly changed my life. I am and will forever be grateful for the way they transformed my lifes worst experience and turned it around to become one of my most cherished memories.My Wish: Alex OvechkinBy: Sam JacobsonGOING INTO my freshman year in high school, my biggest worries were homework and hockey practice. Pretty much the same as every other 15-year-old. That would change rather quickly. When I went to the doctor for a check-up because of a bad cough, I left with news that I couldnt have possibly imagined. I was diagnosed with cancer -- non-Hodgkin lymphoma -- and had no idea what was ahead.A few months after I began what would become two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy, I was approached by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. ?Several ideas went through my head, but my wish ended up being a pretty easy decision. I had no doubt that if I could do one thing it would be to skate with my favorite hockey player, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. Months passed before we got the news that my wish had been granted, and it was absolutely worth the wait.During one of my hockey games, after the seniors were introduced, they played an audio recording of Ovechkin inviting my family and me to visit the Capitals in Washington, D.C. We flew out two days later. The next few days would result in some of the best memories I have ever had. We got to hang out with Ovie and the team for three days. We got to go to two games and watch him score the overtime winner in the second. But that wasnt even the best part. We went to their practice facility to meet the entire team and coaching staff. After they finished practice, we went into the locker room where they had a locker set up just for me with brand new gear. Then my brother and I skated with Ovechkin and a few other players for almost an hour. That was probably the coolest hour of my life.Make-A-Wish, in my opinion, is one of the greatest organizations in the world because it gives kids like me a total vacation from whatever they are currently going through. My family and I are forever grateful because they gave us hope and joy, not only for those few days but for the rest of my treatment.I have now been done with my treatment for a little more than three years and am a perfectly healthy 20-year-old kid. I am still a huge Capitals fan and watch just about every game. Right now I am working in the golf business. I have also done a lot of volunteer work with Make-A-Wish Idaho, from speaking engagements to helping prepare for fundraising events.My Wish: Dale Earnhardt Jr.By: Jeffrey BuzzellAT THE TIME of my wish, I was experiencing the effects from a kidney disease known as Alport syndrome, a genetic disease that targets the kidneys and slowly wears away their functionality. Being diagnosed at the age of 8, a little over 13 years ago now, I could not have guessed how such a disease would have such a lifelong impact. By age 15, I started to experience the more severe effects of Alport syndrome such as energy loss, weight loss, my energy level was declining, I was losing weight, and had hearing difficulties. Normal daily routines like school and sports activities started to become a challenge, I had a hard time performing in school and sports due to my lack of hearing, energy, and attentiveness.I first learned about the Make-A-Wish Foundation through my doctors. During my meetings with the wish granters, Stephanie and Joe, I was told, You can do anything you want, seriously, anything. After what seemed like forever, I finally decided what I wanted: to watch a NASCAR race from the pits with the hopes of meeting my favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr.My wish started in May 2010 with a visit to a local go-kart track. Here I am supposedly watching a safety video for the go-karts when out of nowhere Dale Earnhardt Jr. appears on the screen, inviting me to North Carolina to race go-karts and watch the All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I was so excited that the video actually had to play twice before I grasped the reality of what had just happened.The day came for me to meet Dale, and what I thought was going to be a simple meet and greet turned into something unimaginable. We arrived on Dales property where I was greeted with open arms by a guy I had seen only on TV. After a tour, it was finally time -- time to race those go-karts. Following my sweeping victory (or maybe it was a photo finish), I was crowned the winner. At this point, I thought my wish was officially granted and had come to an end. Not even close.The next thing I know, I am on my way to Dales race shop. But Im not riding in our car, oh no, Im riding with Dale in his car. After a quick tour of the shop and some pizza for lunch, Dale invites me to be part of his pit crew and watch the All-Star race from atop the pitbox. Race day arrives and I am given a tour of the track by the Charlotte Motor Speedway president and Dales crew chief. After meeting racing legends Richard Petty and Jimmy Johnson, it was time to walk on stage with Dale. Walking out from behind that curtain and seeing hundreds of thousands of lights was hands down the most memorable time of my life.Six months after my amazing experience with Make-A-Wish, I was told my kidneys could no longer function on their own and I would need to start dialysis treatments. I spent the next four months going to dialysis and countless doctor visits, but not once did I ever forget about my wish and all the amazing messages I received from people around the world who saw me on the My Wish series on ESPN. On Feb. 22, 2011, I received a kidney transplant from my older sister Jen, and on this day, my worries were over.Today, I am a student at Husson University, where I am finishing my fourth year as a Business Management major. I continue to be involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and sharing my story. Although I will forever live with Alport syndrome, I am enjoying life to the fullest and focusing on my future.My Wish: University of Michigan recruiting tripBy: Stephen LoszewskiMY WISH was to take a football recruiting trip to the University of Michigan. I had always grown up watching the Michigan Wolverines compete in football, baseball, softball, soccer and hockey -- but football was my passion. At the time, I was still undergoing remission treatment for leukemia and dealing with a spinal leak -- the result of years of injections in the base of my spine. But I had been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I sucked it up and got on the plane to Ann Arbor. The experience was surreal, and I am forever in debt to the Make-A-Wish organization and the University of Michigan.My family stayed in the hotel, where the football team stays the night before a game. The day of the wish, we were given a tour of the campus, which included the admissions building, the athletic department, the training facility and the Big House. I met the entire coaching staff, most of the football team, reviewed film with defensive coach Greg Mattison, played catch with QB Devin Gardner and talked Michigan football with then-head coach Brady Hoke.The real impact of my wish was that it took me out of my sickly mindset for a while. I had spent years in the same place, following the same routine: get up, go to school, try not to get sick, go home, repeat (with occasional visits to the hospital). To be sent to my dream university was one thing, but ultimately, it pulled me out of my unhealthy rut and allowed me the chance to be pleasantly distracted. It reminded me that there was more to the world than just my routine of needles and pills; and that is whats great about this program. Fortunately for me, I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was 15. I cant imagine being diagnosed as a child. For some of those children, this disease is all they know. Make-A-Wish gives them a chance to see that there is more to the world than hospital rooms.After I was cured in July of 2014, I chose to take some time off from academics to enjoy being healthy again. Currently, I am at the University of Central Missouri pursuing a bachelors degree in education with a minor in economics, working two jobs and getting ready to move into my own apartment. But Ive managed to create a balanced schedule that includes both work and a social life.My Wish: Manager for a day with the Minnesota TwinsBy: Michael AcostaAT THE TIME of my wish, I was ten months cancer-free. My wish was to be the manager for a day with the Minnesota Twins. I have been a Twins fan for as long as I can remember and also a big Ron Gardenhire fan. I can tell anyone anything they want to know about the team.When I got to Target Field on the day of my wish, I was taken to Gardenhires office, where a personalized jersey and jacket awaited me. After Gardenhire arrived, we talked strategy about the game and then headed out to the field to meet the players, observe and take part in batting and fielding practice. I then got a tour of the clubhouse and received autographed bats from Jim Thome, Justin Morneau and Drew Butera. I took part in a live news conference with local media, threw out the first pitch and enjoyed the game from a suite with my family.The most memorable part of my wish was the news conference. Answering questions with Gardenhire about the game and joking around with the media really made me feel as if I was part of the team.The Make-A-Wish experience was very special. It allowed me to forget about my cancer diagnosis, surgeries and treatments. I know it has done the same for countless other children as well.My wish with the Twins also helped me pick a career path. The opportunity to spend the day with the team inspired me to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. I just graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with a bachelors degree in mass communications, with a radio/TV focus.I am currently a media relations intern for the Great Southwest Collegiate League, in which I do a little bit of everything, including website updates, scoreboard and press releases after the games. I also volunteer and serve as a mentor for Cook Childrens Hospital helping cancer patients cope with their illness, and am still involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Kelly Bryant College Jersey . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. Trevor Lawrence College Jersey . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. http://www.cheapclemsonjerseys.com/ . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. THE 2 EVENTS1 mens tournament (16 teams)1 womens tournament (12 teams)THE FORMATMens tournament: In the first round, the teams are split into 4 groups of 4. The top 2 in each group advance to the knock-out phase: quarter-finals, semi-finals, bronze medal match and final.Womens tournament: In the first round, the teams are split into 3 groups of 4. The top 2 in each group and the 2 best third-placed teams advance to the knock-out phase: quarter-finals, semi-finals, bronze medal match and final.MILESTONES16th centuryAt the time of the Renaissance in Florence, a game called calcio, a direct ancestor of football, is popular.1846The first set of rules are drawn up at Cambridge University, in England.1863The English Football Association (FA) is founded, establishing the laws of the game.1870The FA decrees that a team will be made up of 11 players.1871Scotland and England play out a 0-0 draw in the first ever international match.1900Football makes its debut as an Olympic sport (with just 4 participating teams).1930The first World Cup is hosted and won by Uruguay.1958Brazil win their first World Cup, inspired by a 17-year-old prodigy named Pele.1996The Olympics hosts the first womens tournament, won by the USA.2002Brazil win a record fifth World Cup in Asia, beating Germany 2-0 in the final.2010Spain lift the first World Cup on African soil as they triumph oveer the Netherlands in Johannesburg. Cheap Clemson Jerseys Authentic. TARSPele (Brazil)The King. Edson Arantes do Nascimento is widely considered the greatest player of all time, after helping Brazil win the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He also won two Intercontinental Cups and two Copa Libertadores titles with Santos. He scored 1,285 goals in a 20-year career and is seen as the symbol of Brazils golden age.Diego Maradona (Argentina)Maradona could do it all. He carried Argentina on his diminutive shoulders (1.68m) as they won the World Cup in 1986 and reached the final in 1990. He also won the Spanish Cup with Barcelona, as well as two Italian championships, the Italian Cup and the UEFA Cup with modest Napoli. Some consider the midfield maestro Peles equal, but he suffered a dramatic fall from grace due to a doping infrigement and cocaine addiction.Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)The Kaiser. Beckenbauer won the World Cup as a player in 1974 and as a coach in 1990. 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