ARVADA, Colo. – Donovan may seem like your average teen on paper, but he isn’t. At 18, he’s not only exceptional, he’s a survivor.
Just last year, Donovan was diagnosed with having Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymph tissue. He was immediately started on chemotherapy and the treatment took a major toll on him, rendering him “out of commission” for two weeks straight. However, even this did not slow down his life, and he graduated from high school while still enduring chemotherapy.
Donovan was given the chance to wish after being referred to international children’s charity Kids Wish Network by a social worker. When asked what he wanted for his wish, Donovan replied that he wanted to meet his hero and star of MTV’s “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory”, Rob Dyrdek.
Donovan’s wish took place at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, where Rob Dyrdek was hosting the third season kickoff of the Street League Skateboarding contest series. In addition to the meet-and-greet with Rob Dyrdek, Donovan and his parents were also treated to accommodations at the Hilton President Kansas City, dinners every evening, a visit to the Kansas City Zoo and a tour of the Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations.
“It was awesome,” said Donovan. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Of course, out of everything he got to experience, meeting Rob Dyrdek was the absolute highlight of his wish. Also, not only did he get to spend one day hanging out with the superstar, but Donovan also got to spend time over the next three days watching the Street League while hanging out in VIP seating.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but to get three days was awesome,” said Donovan. “I talked to him [Rob Dyrdek] like we’d talked before. He introduced me to everyone…it was intense. He’s a famous person, but he’s all about being real. I really don’t think I could thank him enough for all he did.”
Rob also signed an Alien Workshop board that Donovan brought, along with the DC hat and shirt he wore. For Donovan, it was more than a wish-come-true:
“It was actually a wish and more,” said Donovan, smiling from ear to ear. “It was ten times my wish. I really appreciate what everyone did for me. They made it so special.”
Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Donovan’s wish extra special: Rob Dyrdek; Ace Rent A Car; Southwest Airlines; Kansas City Zoo; Gordon Biersch; Fran’s Restaurant; Hilton President Kansas City; Lidia's Italy Kansas City ; Johnny’s; and Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations.
Kids Wish Network is an international charitable organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children having experienced life-altering situations. Kids Wish Network assists children and their families through several key programs. Every child deserves a chance at happiness; a wish is just 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. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org
Just last year, Donovan was diagnosed with having Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymph tissue. He was immediately started on chemotherapy and the treatment took a major toll on him, rendering him “out of commission” for two weeks straight. However, even this did not slow down his life, and he graduated from high school while still enduring chemotherapy.
Donovan was given the chance to wish after being referred to international children’s charity Kids Wish Network by a social worker. When asked what he wanted for his wish, Donovan replied that he wanted to meet his hero and star of MTV’s “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory”, Rob Dyrdek.
Donovan’s wish took place at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, where Rob Dyrdek was hosting the third season kickoff of the Street League Skateboarding contest series. In addition to the meet-and-greet with Rob Dyrdek, Donovan and his parents were also treated to accommodations at the Hilton President Kansas City, dinners every evening, a visit to the Kansas City Zoo and a tour of the Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations.
“It was awesome,” said Donovan. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Of course, out of everything he got to experience, meeting Rob Dyrdek was the absolute highlight of his wish. Also, not only did he get to spend one day hanging out with the superstar, but Donovan also got to spend time over the next three days watching the Street League while hanging out in VIP seating.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but to get three days was awesome,” said Donovan. “I talked to him [Rob Dyrdek] like we’d talked before. He introduced me to everyone…it was intense. He’s a famous person, but he’s all about being real. I really don’t think I could thank him enough for all he did.”
Rob also signed an Alien Workshop board that Donovan brought, along with the DC hat and shirt he wore. For Donovan, it was more than a wish-come-true:
“It was actually a wish and more,” said Donovan, smiling from ear to ear. “It was ten times my wish. I really appreciate what everyone did for me. They made it so special.”
Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Donovan’s wish extra special: Rob Dyrdek; Ace Rent A Car; Southwest Airlines; Kansas City Zoo; Gordon Biersch; Fran’s Restaurant; Hilton President Kansas City; Lidia's Italy Kansas City ; Johnny’s; and Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations.
Kids Wish Network is an international charitable organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children having experienced life-altering situations. Kids Wish Network assists children and their families through several key programs. Every child deserves a chance at happiness; a wish is just 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. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org