I wish to be the GM of the Toronto Raptors

“It was the best day of my life!”, recalled twelve-year-old Henry, after receiving his wish to become the General Manager of the Toronto Raptors basketball team for a day.

A sports enthusiast who particularly loves basketball and all things Toronto Raptors, Henry collects sports cards, Raptors jerseys and basketball shoes. He’s no stranger to the spotlight either, as he loves being on stage performing.

Henry wanted to share his wish with his family, who have been by his side since being diagnosed with leukemia just prior to his 6^th birthday in April 2016. Before his diagnosis was confirmed, Henry had swollen joints, walked with a limp and had a strange lump of tissue on his hip. After months of medical appointments and tests, he was finally diagnosed with leukemia.

During his 3.5 years of cancer treatment, Henry imagined his wish in exacting detail. He envisioned arriving at the arena in high style in a limo. Before the game, he would indulge his love of food with a fancy dinner, complete with a truffe burger and fries. On the court, he would meet his favourite players, tell all the players to work hard and even help them practice. He would sit courtside or in the box seats with the other GM’s for the game, wearing his best suit. Best of all, he would make important decisions about his team, instead of having decisions made for him during his treatment.

When his big day finally arrived, everything came true and more! After meeting the real GM, Bobby Webster and receiving his own jersey, Henry went courtside. The highlight of his wish was shooting hoops in the practice space. He met Pascal Siakam and caught a rebound from Chris Boucher. Alongside the team doctor and Bobby, Henry made the decision that Scottie would be on the injury list for that game! His jersey was signed, and Henry even participated in a media scrum. The Toronto Raptors staff couldn’t do enough for Henry and his family and seemed to genuinely get a kick out of Henry as GM.

“I got more than I wished for”, explained Henry. His mom Maggie repeatedly asked her son if he was OK throughout the day, knowing how important this day was to him. He lightheartedly replied, “no Mom, stop asking me.  Of course, I’m not OK.  This is crazy!”  He simply couldn’t believe how his wish unfolded exactly as he had dreamed it.

Even Henry’s sister Lila loved every minute of it. Sporting a new outfit for this exceptional day, Lila and the entire family were made to feel special and included throughout every moment. The treatments, hospital stays and days of not feeling well were a distant memory for all of them, as they focused on fun with Henry’s favourite team.

Maggie recalled, “the next day, I had planned to go back to work, but I found myself absolutely bawling in the shower that morning. The experience was emotionally overwhelming, and a bookend to our journey. It’s hard even now to think back on the day. I get so emotional. It’s honestly a dream come true for all of us – an experience that money could never buy. We will all remember it forever.”

Our thanks to the entire Toronto Raptors organization for making Henry’s wish something he and his family will never forget.