Fourteen-year-old Jackie flew to Colorado all the way from San Antonio, TX for her wish to meet her favorite hockey team, the Colorado Avalanche!
Her wish began at Denver International Airport, where she was met by Make-A-Wish Colorado volunteers and Bernie, the Avalanche mascot, who personally escorted Jackie down the jet bridge. It was an airport arrival she will never forget!
Jackie’s love for the Avalanche was passed down to her from her parents. Even though she lived in Texas, she followed the Colorado team religiously and knows each player by name. Her wish brought her the opportunity to meet the players she had idolized for so long!
Jackie started her day with a behind-the-scenes tour of Ball Arena and watching the pre-game skate from the players’ bench. She grinned the entire time as she watched her favorite athletes fly around the ice. Players skated up to fist-bump her and say hello and one even gave her an official NHL hockey puck to take home as a souvenir!
After practice, Jackie helped the media team with their pre-game interviews. She took to the microphone like a professional and asked thoughtful questions about the teams’ strategy to defeat their opponent. Jackie bonded quickly with one player when discussing his recent injuries. As he described the process of getting stitches out, she nodded in acknowledgment. “I know about stitches,” she said, gesturing to the scar that ran along her scalp from brain surgery two years ago, when doctors detected a cancerous tumor. After surgery, chemotherapy and radiation followed – but the best news is Jackie is currently in remission, and her wish was a celebration of all she has overcome.
Jackie met the players one-by-one and asked them questions about everything from their hockey careers to what kinds of dogs they had. She loved getting to know the team but was the most excited when superstar Nathan MacKinnon stepped out of the locker room to say hi to her!
“Can I give you one of my sticks?” he asked her, and Jackie’s eyes widened as she nodded in disbelief and accepted the stick, telling her mom, “This is the best day ever!”
The best day ever just kept getting better! Jackie was given her own seat in the Avs locker room, right next to MacKinnon’s! She grinned as she put on her new jersey, signed by the entire team, and posed for pictures with her family. Her mom quietly teared up, explaining how impactful it was to see all these top-caliber athletes take time out of their day to make her daughter feel special. “It’s indescribable. I wish it would never end,” she said. “I know this is going to stick with Jackie for a very long time.”
Jackie’s wish was made even more special by cheering the Av’s to a victory at their game against the Bruin’s later that night!
Make-A-Wish Colorado supporters celebrated Jackie & wish kids like her at Whiskey, Wine & Wishes on April 10 at Mission Ballroom. Country artist Randall King delivered an incredible live performance, and the Colorado Avalanche were honored with the Make-A-Wish Colorado Wish Hero award!
You can help make wishes like Jackie’s come true by donating at wish.org/colorado.
