Craig Willinger Fund honors bone marrow transplant recipient with Boxing Day soccer trip to London
BALTIMORE, MD – The Craig Willinger Fund (CWFund) proudly announces the selection of 16-year-old James Sebastian Prawdzik of Queens, New York as its 12th honoree. Sebastian and his mother will travel to see English Premier League giants, Arsenal Football Club, face West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 26, 2016.
Sebastian, a soccer player and “religious Arsenal fan,” was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare and serious condition where the body stops producing enough new blood cells. He received a bone marrow transplant in the summer of 2015 and battled complications which required he return as an inpatient for an additional four months. When asked how this ordeal has shaped his life, he shared, “I don’t take anything for granted anymore.”
Sebastian is the CWFund’s first honoree with a critical illness other than cancer. “We are thrilled to provide Sebastian this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see his beloved Arsenal play on their home pitch,” said CWFund vice-chair, Darren Rudham. “Last Christmas, Sebastian was in the hospital fighting for his life, and to provide him this chance to move beyond his illness is what the Craig Willinger Fund is about.”
The Craig Willinger Fund seeks to improve the lives of children and young adults stricken with cancer and other critical illnesses by providing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to experience soccer—both domestically and abroad. Since 2010, honorees have traveled to South Africa, Barcelona, Milan, London, Madrid, New York City, Manchester, and Brazil, including world-class events like the FIFA Men’s World Cup and the UEFA Champions League Final. Visit www.cwfund.org for more information.
Follow Sebastian on his dream trip at www.facebook.com/cwfund and on Twitter @theCWFund using #cwfsebastian.
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FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Emily Agueda
443.739.6875
emily@cwfund.org