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Eun Kyung KimTODAY Feb. 12, 2014 at 11:48 AM ET
Sochi Olympics
Shaun White makes wish come truefor cancer survivor
Shaun White may have walked away from the 2014 Olympics without a gold
medal, but he won the hearts of a 10-year cancer survivor and his family.
Moments after qualifying for the halfpipe final on Tuesday, the American
snowboarder hopped the barrier separating him from spectators to greet Ben
Hughes of St. Louis.
“It was awesome. I couldn’t believe it,” Ben told TODAY Wednesday, of meeting
his hero.
Ben, who considers himself a mega White fan, was diagnosed with leukemia in
2010 but is now cancer free after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. He
and another cancer survivor, 19-year-old Alabama undergrad Kaitlyn Lyle,
went to Sochi, Russia, with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
After the qualifying halfpipe event, White headed off the course to speak with
reporters. A Washington Post sports columnist who heard about Ben and
TODAY; EPA
Shaun White surprised one of his biggest fans, 10-year-old cancer survivor Ben.
TODAY
Ben and his family on TODAY.
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Kaitlyn's story reached out to the U.S. snowboarding press attaché and
suggested that White stop by to say hello. Moments later, White spotted Ben in
his USA beanie cap waving an American flag and “he leapt over the barrier,
catching some of the best air of his career,” according to columnist Mike Wise.
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White surprised Ben and everyone around him as he greeted fans with
high-fives. Ben's mother, Liz Hughes, started crying.
“We got there very early, so we had a very good spot near the press,” she told
TODAY. “He just happened to be very close and someone mentioned that Ben
wanted to meet him and he hopped right over the fence.
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While White ultimately failed to medal in the halfpipe, the real disappointment
Video: Ben Hughes was diagnosed with leukemia four years ago. He’s now cancer free, and sayswatching snowboarder White helped him get through his illness. He was flown to the Olympics bythe Make-A-Wish Foundation and got to meet his hero, who leapt over the barrier to greet him.
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Shaun White sharesmoment with 10-year-oldfan
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Tuesday may have come from Ben's younger brother, Will, who missed his
chance to meet White with his brother.
"I was in the seats," he said.
1
Sochi Olympics
Shaun Whitemakes wishcome true forcancer survivor
Sochi Life
Why don'tRussianssmile? NastiaLiukin answersour burningculturalquestions
Sochi Olympics
Why don'tfigure skatersget dizzy?(Trick question.They do!)
Sochi
2/18: Lookingfor TODAYvideo? Watchhere
Photos
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On The Show
Natalie getssnowboardinglesson fromOlympianDanny Davis
Athletes
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Sochi Olympics
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