RIVERDALE, Ga. - One of Favaughn’s favorite things to do is to watch WWE matches. He simply can’t get enough of the thrilling and uncontrollable world that is professional wrestling. When he watches the WWE on television, the bright lights and adrenaline-pumping excitement take him far away from any discomfort his condition causes him.
You see, Favaughn was born with a life-threatening and debilitating illness called sickle cell disease. This is a blood disorder that causes Favaughn to experience excruciating pain. Because changes in temperature affect Favaughn’s body and cause pain flair-ups, he is unable to participate in many activities that he enjoys, like swimming and basketball. Favaugn takes a lot of medicine and is often hospitalized for days at a time.
Favaughn’s mother, Carline, is a long time donor to national children’s charity Kids Wish Network. She knew they did good things for kids and even granted wishes to kids with life-threatening illnesses; she didn’t think to refer her son until, one day, a Kids Wish professional fundraiser asked her about him. Soon, Favaughn was explaining to a Wish Coordinator that he wanted to meet his hero, WWE Superstar John Morrison.
“He had a marvelous, marvelous time,” said Carline of her son’s wish trip.
After a delightful flight to Tampa, Florida, Favaughn and his mother were able to do a bit of sightseeing before meeting John Morrison. In addition to a fun trip to the Florida Aquarium, Favaughn really enjoyed riding in a boat during a Dolphin Eco Tour in Tampa Bay and a having a round of bowling at Splitsville in Channelside. One other activity that brought a huge smile to Favaughn’s face was dinner at Hooter’s, where the waitresses treated the teen like a VIP.
“He was blushing all the time,” said Carline. “He was blushing the whole evening!”
After dinner, it was time to meet John Morrison at the St. Pete Times Forum. Favaughn, his mother and his Wish Coordinator were escorted to a special room where John Morrison was waiting.
“He [Favaughn] was so excited! He enjoyed it so much!” said Carline.
As soon as he sat down to talk with his wrestling hero, Favaughn was smiling from ear to ear. Not only was he meeting John Morrison, but he was also John Morrison’s first “wish kid!” He was even interviewed by the WWE and they asked how he felt to be the first “wish kid” for the Superstar! Favaughn felt like he was on top of the world, and John Morrison couldn’t have been any nicer.
John Morrison gave Favaughn a t-shirt, a hat, many autographs and pictures; he even gave Favaughn the trademark sunglasses right off of his face! Favaughn, in return, gave John Morrison a gift bag full of goodies from Georgia, so that John Morrison would remember him. It was quite an experience for both Favaughn and John Morrison, one that they will both never forget.
Following the meet-and-greet, Favaughn’s excitement tripled as he watched the man he just met fight in the ring right in front of his eyes. The action was fast-paced and truly entertaining for Favaughn. During the match, Carline said that Favaughn was “so excited he didn’t even want to get up to go to the bathroom!”
According to Favaughn, “It was awesome…a wonderful experience I’ll never forget!”
It was definitely the trip of a lifetime for Favaughn, and Carline is extremely grateful for everything that Kids Wish Network did for her son: “I really, really appreciate it. I see the reason for the donations. It’s amazing to see the joy in a child’s face…to see that smile is worth the money.”
Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Favaughn’s wish extra special: John Morrison, WWE, Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise, AirTran Airways, Hooters of Channelside, The Florida Aquarium, National Car Rental, Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, St. Pete Times Forum, HART, Splitsville and Crabby Bill’s.
linkis a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children having experienced life-threatening illnesses. Kids Wish Network is especially proud of their “Guardian Angel Fund”, which uses 100% of its contributions to support the wish granting program. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of wish granting services, or would like to contribute to a child’s wish, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at link
You see, Favaughn was born with a life-threatening and debilitating illness called sickle cell disease. This is a blood disorder that causes Favaughn to experience excruciating pain. Because changes in temperature affect Favaughn’s body and cause pain flair-ups, he is unable to participate in many activities that he enjoys, like swimming and basketball. Favaugn takes a lot of medicine and is often hospitalized for days at a time.
Favaughn’s mother, Carline, is a long time donor to national children’s charity Kids Wish Network. She knew they did good things for kids and even granted wishes to kids with life-threatening illnesses; she didn’t think to refer her son until, one day, a Kids Wish professional fundraiser asked her about him. Soon, Favaughn was explaining to a Wish Coordinator that he wanted to meet his hero, WWE Superstar John Morrison.
“He had a marvelous, marvelous time,” said Carline of her son’s wish trip.
After a delightful flight to Tampa, Florida, Favaughn and his mother were able to do a bit of sightseeing before meeting John Morrison. In addition to a fun trip to the Florida Aquarium, Favaughn really enjoyed riding in a boat during a Dolphin Eco Tour in Tampa Bay and a having a round of bowling at Splitsville in Channelside. One other activity that brought a huge smile to Favaughn’s face was dinner at Hooter’s, where the waitresses treated the teen like a VIP.
“He was blushing all the time,” said Carline. “He was blushing the whole evening!”
After dinner, it was time to meet John Morrison at the St. Pete Times Forum. Favaughn, his mother and his Wish Coordinator were escorted to a special room where John Morrison was waiting.
“He [Favaughn] was so excited! He enjoyed it so much!” said Carline.
As soon as he sat down to talk with his wrestling hero, Favaughn was smiling from ear to ear. Not only was he meeting John Morrison, but he was also John Morrison’s first “wish kid!” He was even interviewed by the WWE and they asked how he felt to be the first “wish kid” for the Superstar! Favaughn felt like he was on top of the world, and John Morrison couldn’t have been any nicer.
John Morrison gave Favaughn a t-shirt, a hat, many autographs and pictures; he even gave Favaughn the trademark sunglasses right off of his face! Favaughn, in return, gave John Morrison a gift bag full of goodies from Georgia, so that John Morrison would remember him. It was quite an experience for both Favaughn and John Morrison, one that they will both never forget.
Following the meet-and-greet, Favaughn’s excitement tripled as he watched the man he just met fight in the ring right in front of his eyes. The action was fast-paced and truly entertaining for Favaughn. During the match, Carline said that Favaughn was “so excited he didn’t even want to get up to go to the bathroom!”
According to Favaughn, “It was awesome…a wonderful experience I’ll never forget!”
It was definitely the trip of a lifetime for Favaughn, and Carline is extremely grateful for everything that Kids Wish Network did for her son: “I really, really appreciate it. I see the reason for the donations. It’s amazing to see the joy in a child’s face…to see that smile is worth the money.”
Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Favaughn’s wish extra special: John Morrison, WWE, Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise, AirTran Airways, Hooters of Channelside, The Florida Aquarium, National Car Rental, Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, St. Pete Times Forum, HART, Splitsville and Crabby Bill’s.
linkis a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children having experienced life-threatening illnesses. Kids Wish Network is especially proud of their “Guardian Angel Fund”, which uses 100% of its contributions to support the wish granting program. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of wish granting services, or would like to contribute to a child’s wish, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at link