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Child Battling Leukemia Gets Wish Unveiled

Make-A-Wish Reveal at Millersville University on Saturday

makeawish Millersville University Athletics is set to host a Make-A-Wish ® reveal for a local boy at halftime of the April 22 Black & Gold Spring Football Game.

The Millersville University Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) raised $5,000 for Make-A-Wish ® in 2016, giving the organization the opportunity to reveal the wish of 9-year-old Gavin Gretzula, who spent a portion of his childhood battling leukemia. His reveal will take place at halftime during Millersville’s spring football game.

Prior to the game, Gavin will attend a press conference where he will sign a one-day contract with the football team and receive a jersey. He will then participate in pre-game drills with the team and meet with officials. During the game, Gavin will call plays from the sideline. His mother Beckey and twin sister, Dempsey, are joining him for the reveal.

With his wish, Gavin wanted to include his entire family, taking them away from the doctors and medical tests. Despite his condition, Gavin does not let leukemia define or limit him. He enjoys playing sports and computer games, running, and jumping, like most boys his age. To regain some of his lost strength and self-confidence, he has recently taken up wrestling.

The Black and Gold Spring Game will be held at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium at 7 p.m. with free admission. Fans are encouraged to attend and support Gavin during the wish reveal.

Make-A-Wish ® and NCAA Division II has a longstanding relationship dating to 2003. NCAA Division II student-athletes, coaches, parents and fans have raised nearly $4 million for Make-A-Wish ® over the last decade. Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. On average, Make-A-Wish grants a wish every 34 minutes.

About Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Headquartered in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Northern Delaware and Susquehanna Valley has granted over 6000 Wishes since our Chapter’s inception in 1986. The Chapter serves Philadelphia and the surrounding counties, the Susquehanna Valley and New Castle County in Delaware.  Visit Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Northern Delaware and Susquehanna Valley at: www.philasv.wish.org to learn more.

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