KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Editor's Note: If you'd like to donate to Make-A-Wish of East Tennessee, click here.
We are less than six months away from the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, and we are excited to start the countdown with a special series to benefit Make-A-Wish of East Tennessee.
Make-A-Wish creates changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Like the athletes in the Olympics -- these children face adversity with bravery, determination and lots of support.
For the next six months leading up to the Summer Olympics, we are teaming up with children from Make-A-Wish East Tennessee to show you that they, too, have the hearts of a champion.
Tuesday's featured kid is named Sam Long. WBIR's Robin Wilhoit shows us Sam's "super" wish coming up in 12 days. That's right, he's going to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas! Sam is also teaming up with Robin and will cheer her on as she trains at D1 Knoxville in track and field.
For Sam -- the road to the Super Bowl began 19 years ago in an orphanage in China. Born with a severe heart condition, parents Vicky and Rick Long helped navigate Sam through a seemingly endless amount of doctor visits and surgeries.
"We had just adopted our daughter, and we had been home for about six weeks and we found out about Sam. The orphanage had asked if there was anyone in America that was willing to help, and we said 'How could we not?' He joined our family and started having his surgeries as soon as possible," Vicky said. "I can remember at the age of two, he had major heart surgery. There was an older gentleman who had pretty much the same surgery as Sam. We heard his wife fussin' at him, 'If that baby can do it, you can do it.'"
Other diagnoses would follow -- from epilepsy, Graves' disease, and a genetic disorder called DiGeorge Syndrome.
"It takes a big toll. Everything... there's just so much. Doctor visits, overnight stays, the medications," Rick said.
"At last count, we're up to 18 pills a day," Vicky said. "There's a lot, but we wouldn't change it for anything. He's one the biggest blessings in our life."
Despite the physical complications, Sam is still "all heart," and football holds a special place in it. He's been active as a team manager in school.
"I help fill up the water bottles. Help out the players, and I just get them ready for the game," Sam said.
In February, Sam and his parents will have a wish fulfilled -- to go to the Super Bowl.
"It's just the number one sport that's on right now. And since nothing else is going on, I just like watching it," he said.
Sam, who cheers for the Titans and Steelers by the way, said he isn't looking forward to just one certain thing. He's looking forward to it all.
"Probably just going to the game. I've never been to the Super Bowl before... I'm hoping to see what it's like to be there and yeah, that's pretty much it," Sam said.
For Vicky and Rick -- it's a chance to make precious memories with the man they said is their hero.
"People tell us all the time how much we've blessed Sam and how we've changed his life, and it's like, 'You have no idea.' We're the ones who've been blessed," Vicky said. "We've not blessed him, he's blessed us."
If you'd like to help future wishes like Sam's, you can donate to Make-A-Wish East Tennessee at this link.