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All it took was one look at WWE Superstar John Cena in action, and Alan became a pro wrestling fan. He was visiting a friend in 2004 when he caught a glimpse of a WWE match featuring Cena. Alan saw an unyielding, unflinching quality in Cena that he couldn’t resist.
“Every time somebody challenges him, he never backs down,” Alan said.
Alan Learns from Cena – Don’t Back Down
One day, Alan felt a bump on his shoulder that worried him. A week later, doctors performed an ultrasound. He was soon diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Believe it or not, Alan considered himself lucky – his form of Hodgkin’s is considered very treatable. Doctors told him to expect six months of chemotherapy and other treatments. He was ready to pile-drive his illness into submission.
Alan must’ve channeled John Cena’s fighting spirit – he beat Hodgkin’s lymphoma in just three months.
“It makes me feel great because a lot of people at my church were praying for me,” Alan says.
Now, Alan expects his chemotherapy port to be removed in a few months.
Celebrating his Victory
Alan’s wish began with a limo ride to the airport, a short flight, dinner at Medieval Times and a visit to Six Flags. Though he had a great time on the Mr. Freeze rollercoaster, the next day is where his wish was really ready to start.
At a local Dallas mall, Alan dropped into a GameStop store and was playing video games when John Cena “walked up all casual” to greet him. The two squared off for a few rounds of Smackdown Vs. Raw 2009. (See video at bottom of page.)
“He started stretching,” Alan says, laughing. “It was really funny!”
After losing a few matches, a gracious Cena signed his hat and handed it to Alan. GameStop rewarded Alan for his victory with a backpack filled with video games, t-shirts and a GameStop hat. Then, both were off to Monday Night Raw.
Ringside at Raw
Alan took yet another limo ride, this time to arrive at Monday Night Raw. Before the action started, he met Superstars Shawn Michaels and Jeff Hardy. Cena arrived, carrying a load of signed souvenirs for Alan – dogtags, wristbands, shirts and more.
That night, Cena lost to The Big Show.
“But only because The Edge interfered,” Alan insists.
After the loss, though, Alan’s prediction that Cena would win at Wrestlemania came true. And the loss did nothing to diminish the experience or his favorite Superstar.
“He’s bigger in person,” Alan says. “His whole arm is bigger than me!”
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Alan's Wish VideoWWE Superstar John Cena surprised Alan for his wish, challenging him to a WWE video-game battle at GameStop. See how quickly Alan became Cena’s arch-nemesis in the cyber ring.
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This page can be found at http://www.wish.org/stories/sports_entertainment/sports/alan_john_cena
© 2006- Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
