Iowa boy battling cancer gets wish to see Warriors play at Chase Center
8-yr-old boy battling cancer gets his wish to see his favorite player Stephen Curry and the Warriors play
A boy from Iowa battling cancer gets his wish to see his favorite player Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors play thanks to Make-A-Wish Foundation and its partners. The 8-year-old and his family flew to San Francisco for this unforgettable experience which included a shopping spree at the team store. He says the best part was that Curry and other players signed his new Curry jersey.
SAN FRANCISCO - It was a night to remember for one young boy and his family visiting San Francisco from Iowa.
Euan Joe is battling cancer and his wish is to see the Golden State Warriors play. Euan is in remission after battling leukemia.
The Make-A-Wish foundation made it happen on Thursday night.
This was the first trip to San Francisco for Euan and his family, and it was their first time attending an NBA game. They said they were "super-excited" to be at Chase Center for this unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It started with a shopping spree at the Warriors Team Store in Thrive City. He selected items including a Stephen Curry Jersey, and said that Curry, number 30, is his favorite player.
The Make-A-Wish foundation, along with its partners including Vivid Seats, made it possible for Euan and his family to fly to San Francisco and experience this special night watching the Warriors take on the Philadelphia 76ers.
"What we bill ourselves as doing is providing hope and joy. That's what we really do," said Dennis Shrag with Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area.
Euan's mother, Joleen Anej, said her son was diagnosed with cancer two years ago.
She described Euan's difficult journey, which included chemotherapy and radiation.
"For me to witness him go through his hair loss, through losing appetite, all these symptoms, was heartbreaking," said Anej.
But heartbreak and pain have diminished with Euan's remission, along with news that he would be granted his wish to see his favorite team.
Euan said he thought it wasn't real when he was first told that he would be traveling to San Francisco to attend a Warriors game.
Before the start of the game, the Warriors made Euan an honorary captain for the night.
"Right now, I would say he's the happiest and healthiest," said Anej.
"We're just grateful that kids have such an amazing experience with the team," said Shrag. "When they find out they get a wish, that really picks them up, and it's a little extra motivation."
Before the game, Euan, wearing his new jersey, got Curry and other players to sign it.
He said that was his favorite part of the night.
Euan said he loves seeing Curry make three-pointers. He even mimicked Curry's "night night" gesture.
But most of all, Euan is grateful for this unforgettable experience.
"Thank you everybody for making this happen," said Euan.
Mom said Euan still needs to get monthly checkups, but his long-term prognosis looks good. He and his family flew back to Iowa on Friday.
Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU