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JJ with his parents Carlyle and Jesilyn Stanek, and his older sister
Megan Zapalac/The Enterprise
Make-A-Wish has granted a Southeast Texas boy's wish by sending him and his family to WrestleMania 2023 earlier this month.
Kelly Kersh, Director of Community Engagement at Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, said JJ Stanek’s attended a WrestleMania kickoff meeting in Los Angeles before stopping by the WWE superstore. He also attended a VIP luncheon, called the Circle of Champions Luncheon, and visited Universal Studios Hollywood before attending WrestleMania itself.
This is the third wish that Del Papa Distributing Company has granted.
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Along with the trip, Stanek also receive a WWE belt, three action figures, a replica ring pillow, a board game, a coloring book, a backpack and a blanket -- all WWE themed.
“At Make-A-Wish, we are on a quest to grant a wish to every eligible child throughout the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana region. So, partners like Del Papa are truly essential in making that happen,” Kersh said.
Carlyle Stanek, JJ's father, said they found out that their son had lymphoma on Halloween 2021, when they rushed him to the hospital in Kingswood because he had been running a fever.
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When they arrived at the hospital, they thought it may have been an issue with his appendix but instead discovered a tumor the size of an adult fist. Seven days later, it doubled in size.
Jesilyn Stanek, JJ's mother, said JJ has been in remission since May 2022 and is now back in school as a third grader at Dr. E.R. Richter Elementary in Dayton, located in Liberty County.
Jesilyn said JJ was very excited leading up to the event, "it's all he's been talking about I think sister is just as excited."
Nancy and Gary Boostrom, JJ’s wish granting volunteers, helped ensure the trip went smoothly.
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The Boostroms had just moved back to Texas, and Nancy wasn't working anymore. While reading a newspaper, she learned Make-A-Wish needed volunteers.
“So I said, 'I think that's a good match for me, because I love kids and (I'm) good with kids and everything and I love the cause, Make-A-Wish is a wonderful organization,'” Nancy said.
megan.zapalac@beaumontenterprise.com
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