WWE Daily

Ashley ‘Rumbles’ With Her Idol, WWE Champ, John Cena, Thanks to Kids Wish Network
14-year-old Ashley of Bellevue is a huge wrestling fan. She rarely misses a match on television and is absolutely crazy about the WWE’s John Cena. That’s why, when Ashley got to pick any wish that she wanted from her friends at Kids Wish Network, she decided that what she wanted most was to meet the wrestling star in person. It was an adventure that this courageous girl will never forget.

April 3, 2008 — 14-year-old Ashley of Bellevue is a huge wrestling fan. She rarely misses a match on television and is absolutely crazy about the WWE’s John Cena. That’s why, when Ashley got to pick any wish that she wanted from her friends at Kids Wish Network, she decided that what she wanted most was to meet the wrestling star in person. It was an adventure that this courageous girl will never forget.

Ashley’s whirlwind trip to meet John Cena began soon after a close family relative learned about Kids Wish Network while surfing the Internet. The aunt submitted Ashley’s name for a possible wish with the charity, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Ashley had been diagnosed in February of 2007 with cancer.

Ashley has what is known as B-Cell Lymphoma. The B-Cells in the body help to fight bacteria. B-Cell Lymphoma occurs when these cells mutate and become cancerous. Ashley’s cancer manifested in the lymph nodes in her neck. Soon after her diagnosis, she began rigorous chemotherapy treatments. Her doctors continue to monitor her extremely carefully.

When Kids Wish Network wish coordinator, Vanessa, called and told Ashley and her mother, Mary, that Ashley had been approved for a wish, the family was elated. When Vanessa asked Ashley what her number one wish was for, Ashley didn’t hesitate: she wanted to meet John Cena in person.

Vanessa immediately got to work. She not only arranged to fly Ashley, her mother, and her sister, Taylor, to Lafayette, LA where there was a WWE Monday Night Raw show scheduled, she also booked hotel accomodations, arranged for spending money and meals and of course, and most importantly, secured a meet and greet between Ashley and John Cena.

Mary said that Ashley was admittedly nervous about meeting the wrestling champ. But she quickly warmed up. “He was wonderful,” said Mary of John Cena. ‘It was all about Ashley and her wish!”

Ashley was smitten. “It was awesome to see Cena in real life instead of on TV. I like how he wrestles. He’s cute, he has nice muscles, and he has nice teeth,” Ashley gushed with an ear to ear grin. “Also, I like him so much, because he’s multi-talented. Cena’s more than just a wrestler - he’s a rapper and a great actor.”

After spending some time together, chatting and posing for pictures, the wrestler and his young fan parted ways as he headed out to the ring and she to her seat. Mary said Ashley had a blast watching the matches. “It was really an enjoyable experience for my girls.”

Mary was incredibly grateful to Vanessa and Kids Wish Network for granting her special daughter’s wish. “It was all just wonderful. As a mother, seeing the smile on her face was just indescribable!”

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Ashley’s wish extra special: Deano’s Pizza, The Hilton, Limited Limousines, Outback Steakhouse and of course, Mr. John Cena!

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at http://www.kidswishnetwork.org