Scores of U.S. women’s softball fans clung to the fences cheering and vying for the attention of their favorite players, who had just completed their Olympic round-robin play with a resounding 9-0 victory over China. The players, however, were all crowded around one young fan – 16-year-old Rachel, who had traveled to Beijing from her hometown in Texas so her fondest wish could come true.

Rachel has always been a big fan of the USA Softball team. She and her dad watch games together every time the team is on TV, and she knows all the players. Rachel’s own days in the pitcher’s circle – she started for her high school’s varsity team as a freshman – were put on hold when she was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

“It was really, really hard,” said Rachel, the first freshman at her school to letter in softball. “I had to miss a whole season.”

“Rachel has to have chemotherapy treatment every Friday,” her dad, Rob, said. “And she used to be afraid of needles! Somehow, though, she’s managed to stay upbeat.”

Rachel’s illness made her eligible for a wish. Even though the Summer Olympics were almost a year away, she knew her greatest dream would be to see the U.S. women compete for the gold medal. In fact, the long wait for her wish was a source of strength during treatments.

“It made it a little bit easier, knowing there was something good out there for me to look forward to,” Rachel said.

Rachel, her parents and her younger sister, Makenzee, braved the long flight from Texas to Beijing – a first for Rachel – and experienced 10 days of Olympic glory.

Rachel’s dream day to watch the team play in-person began with tickets to the United States vs. China softball game. After cheering her idols to victory, Rachel was surprised when International Softball Federation President Don Porter made a special presentation to her. She also learned that NBC’s announcers had mentioned her wish during the game broadcast.

“It was wonderful – way beyond expectations,” Rob said.

Then Rachel got the rare opportunity to meet every member of the team she’d so long admired. She collected autographs, a jersey, bats and an official game ball. Coach Mike Candrea gave her a hug and the lineup card from the game. And, best of all, Rachel posed for pictures and talked to her favorite player, pitcher Monica Abbott.

“When I know that I can bring a smile to someone else’s face, or that I bring chills to them, that just warms my heart so much,” Abbott told NBC after meeting Rachel.

“It brings tears to my eyes just thinking that she would choose [to meet] us,” added pitcher Jenny Finch. “It’s cool. Really cool.”

And there was still more in store during Rachel’s Olympic experience. She met Olympic champion swimmer Natalie Coughlin and women’s discus gold medalist Stephanie Brown-Trafton at a pizza party organized by NBC for wish kids and their families in Beijing. Rachel invited Brown-Trafton to join her and her family on a tour of the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall of China. Much to Rachel’s surprise, Brown-Trafton accepted!

The joy of her wish continued, even on the plane ride home. She shared her flight with the U.S. men’s volleyball and women’s soccer teams, which both won gold medals. She and her sister tried on the medals and posed for photos with the players.

Still, Rachel – her cancer newly in remission – counts the moments she met her softball heroes as her fondest wish memories. “They’re kind of what helped me get through all this,” she said.