Make-A-Wish Foundation Fulfills Childhood Dream for Baseball-Loving Rock Hill Boy

Make-A-Wish Foundation Fulfills Childhood Dream for Baseball-Loving Rock Hill Boy

In the lush green city of Rock Hill, one 11-year-old boy named Gunnar Gonzales is living a dream he could only imagine thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in South Carolina. An ardent baseball enthusiast, Gunnar spends his time playing second base for his youth travel baseball team, leaving no chance to cheer for his all-time favorite team, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But Gunnar’s love for baseball masks an enduring struggle. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after his birth, there hasn’t been a single day he hasn’t grappled with this chronic illness. As Gunnar’s mother, Sundi Gonzales, expressed, “He just wants to be a kid, but he has to take probably 30 pills a day.”

Hitting a Home Run for Gunnar

The Make-A-Wish South Carolina pulled out its relief pitcher role at a pivotal moment in Gunnar’s fight with cystic fibrosis. Guided by the recommendation of the medical staff at Levine Children’s Hospital, Gunnar’s family reached out to the foundation looking to arrange a meeting with the boy’s favorite player, ex-Atlanta Braves’ World Series champion and now Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseman, Freddie Freeman.

In an unexpected turn of events, the foundation went above and beyond, arranging an all-expenses-paid trip for the entire Gonzales family to California. The surprise journey, which took Gunnar from Rock Hill to Los Angeles to meet his baseball hero, was featured in a striking segment on a popular sports network.

A Day with a Baseball Star

Gunnar’s dream of playing catch with his idol, Freeman, was realized on one of the most well-known baseball fields in the United States – the Dodger Stadium. This much-anticipated event allowed Gunnar to momentarily set aside his daily struggle with cystic fibrosis and immerse himself in the love of the game. The adventurous journey also enabled the family, who had never traveled to this region before, to create a memory that will last a lifetime.

Tackling Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects about 40,000 people across the United States, causes patients like Gunnar to develop a thicker and stickier mucus than an average person. Complicating the search for a cure are the more than 2,000 known mutations of cystic fibrosis.

Despite the challenges, staying physically active is recommended to help manage the condition. The Gonzales family ensures Gunnar stays active. From baseball and running clubs to church basketball leagues, Gunnar’s involvement in such activities enhances his lung health and provides him the opportunity to live life on his own terms.

The Impact of a Single Gesture

The spectacular efforts undertaken by the Make-A-Wish Foundation not only gave a baseball-loving boy an adventure of a lifetime but also offered a temporary relief from his daily struggle with cystic fibrosis. This inspiring story is a testament to the power of human kindness and the profound impact a simple act of generosity can have on a struggling child’s life.