Ten-year-old Carter Beckhard-Suozzi of New York had a wish to meet former President Jimmy Carter. When the folks at Make A Wish Foundation found out, they helped that wish come true. Katie Kindalen with ABC News reports:
Carter was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma in May 2015. He underwent five months of grueling chemotherapy and surgeries before being told by doctors he had beaten the cancer, according to his mom, Jane Beckhard-Suozzi.
While Carter was in the hospital, he was visited by officials from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Months later, out of the blue, he told his mom what he wanted his wish to be.
“He said, ‘Mom, I figured it out. I want to meet President Jimmy Carter,’” Beckhard-Suozzi recalled. “When I asked why, he said, ‘We have three things in common. We have the same name. We both have survived cancer and we both love helping people.’
The first hug between them is amazing to behold and it feels like something so right. The two spent about 30 minutes talking about each other’s journey in battling cancer. Last summer, the 39th president announced he was stricken with cancer that spread throughout his body. He opted to try a new treatment and by December, Carter announced he was cancer-free. Months after that, the president announced he was going off cancer treatments completely.
Young Carter later talked about his chat with the Nobel Peace Laureate and was in awe with the president’s accomplishments before, during and post presidency.
“It was more me asking him and he had stories behind each question, which was really cool to hear because it’s not like you get to hear something like that every day,” Carter said. “He fought segregation and wanted to make peace so he never fired a gun while he was in office and also he wanted to help civil rights.”
Of course, young Carter did not leave empty-handed.
The elementary school student also took a selfie with former President Carter and received a signed book and signed baseballs, among other memorabilia. Carter gave the former president one of his bracelets that reads, "Carter Crushed Cancer With Power, Strength, Love.”
Here is the ABC news video:
It’s clear both enjoyed the visit. How could they not? President Carter said:
"He is a fine young man, and we share much more than a name in common, especially our success in overcoming cancer. I know Carter will grow up to do great things."