In conjunction with the Shippensburg University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the Shippensburg University Athletics Department will host a wish reveal for a local child through Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Northern Delaware and Susquehanna Valley on Wednesday night.
SU will be hosting rival Bloomsburg University in a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader on Wednesday. The women’s game is slated to begin at 6 p.m. and the men’s game at 8 p.m.
At halftime of the women’s basketball game, 5-year-old James “Jay” Dawson will be surprised with a granted wish.
Dawson is a boy who lives in Highspire with his parents and twin brothers. His mother, Tiffany Dawson, is a 2005 graduate of SU. Some things Jay enjoys include playing superhero, riding his bike, watching “Toy Story” and playing with his brothers.
By the time Dawson turned 2 years old, he was already battling constant illness and medical problems. Dawson was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which has resulted in many surgeries and therapies. Dawson continues to battle neurological damage from operations on his brain occurring at such a young age, as well as additional trauma from the tumor. Despite the health concerns, Dawson continues to enjoy his hobbies and life as a 5-year-old.
SU is hoping for a strong turnout for the event, as it will be a special night for Dawson and his family. Along with the wish reveal, free T-shirts will be handed out to the first 500 fans in attendance to the game and an ice cream sundae bar will be made available to everyone in attendance at the night’s games.
The wish reveal was made possible by the efforts of SU’s SAAC, which raised more than $5,200 for Make-A-Wish, which allowed SU to host the wish reveal.
SU swimmer Stefan Szilagyi, is this year’s president of SAAC.
The family found that Dawson’s condition qualified him for a wish during a stay at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital last fall.
After the application was filled out, a team of volunteers met with Dawson and his family to decide on what his wish would be.
That wish is set to be revealed on Feb. 24 at Heiges Field House.
The SU basketball teams will play their final games of the season that night.
The Raiders are set to begin the PSAC Playoffs this weekend with their opponents to be announced.
The SU women’s team currently holds a 19-6 record on the season, and the men’s team currently holds a 17-8 record.
Wednesday night will also be senior night for the Raiders.
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