Teen Suffering from Leukemia Granted Wish to Saturday Night Live and Jimmy Fallon Show

COLUMBIA, Md., Jan. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After succumbing to excruciating hip pain, Matthew knew something was wrong.  After months of misdiagnosis doctors found Acute Lymphoid Leukemia had ravaged his pelvis.  Kids Wish Network stepped in to bring hope to this difficult situation by granting Matthew's wish of visiting New York City.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140114/PH45330)

Matthew's Acute Lymphoid Leukemia (ALL) was so progressive that by the time he was diagnosed it had broken his pelvis from the inside out.  Matthew is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy treatment and will remain in treatment for the next 3 years. This devastating news has not broken Matthew; rather he has found strength he never knew he had. When Kids Wish Network contacted Matthew about his wish he said he wanted to visit New York City and to experience all it has to offer.

Private tours of the 9/11 Memorials and the Empire State Building were arranged but some of the most memorable moments were at the tapings of his favorite shows. Matthew experienced Saturday Night Live and Jimmy Fallon first hand. To make his experience special Matthew was part of Jimmy Fallon's seasonal Stocking Stuffers Show where he received a new laptop and $500 towards a new gaming system of his choice. On the set of Saturday Night Live, Matthew was excited to meet his favorite cast member Will Forte.  After the show on stage Will came up gave him a hug and introduced him to cast member Keenan Thompson.  Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone and John Goodman also made guest appearances that night, adding to the magic.

"Aside from the celebrities and the tours, there were so many wonderful moments that we will never forget, we cannot even begin to tell you about them all," said Matthew's mother Christy.

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for making Matthew's wish so special: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, SNL, The Roosevelt Hotel, Circle Line Cruise, Department of Homeland Security, Hard Rock Cafe, Icon Parking, Empire State Building, Serendipity 3, John's Pizzeria and the 9/11 Memorial.  

Every child deserves a chance at happiness; a wish is a way of bringing them that joy. If you would like to sponsor a child's wish or if you know a child who is suffering from a life-threatening illness and may be in need of Kids Wish Network's wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004.

CONTACT:
Kate Daley
(727) 937-3600

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SOURCE Kids Wish Network