As told by the Co-Founder of Dreams of a Lifetime, as a third year medical student.

TJ was someone that everyone loved. The promise of seeing his smile each morning was the saving grace for the medical team in charge of his care. On the visit that I first met TJ, however, his smile was notably absent. The chemotherapy designed to eradicate his cancer had also done the same to his eyelashes, his weight, and his spirit. My fellow medical students and I decided finding something to lift his spirits was the least we could do for him. After days of exhausting what limited resources we had, my husband Jason was able to obtain box seat tickets to one of the University of Florida Gator football games. TJ was a former football player, a linebacker. In addition, TJ coached girl’s flag football, even through his cancer treatment, encouraging his players to take battle on the gridiron while he battled the effects of his chemotherapy. Upon hearing the news that he’d be going to a UF football game, TJ’s smile returned, and it was the widest and brightest yet. In turn, he put smiles on our faces. Once a sore point, his lost eyelashes became an inside-joke. His weight loss was forgotten in the creamy swirls of ice cream that he shared with his father at the football game. When I told my husband how his efforts made such a difference for TJ and his family, he was inspired to do even more, saying, “If it helped him that much just by getting him to a football game, I think we can do a lot more for him.” Jason was determined to get the head coach of the Gator football team, Urban Meyer, to sign a Gator football helmet for TJ, and to make it clear to Coach Meyer that TJ was a very special, amazing young man. Coach Meyer was more than accommodating, and not only signed a helmet for TJ (see picture), but even invited him and his family to attend a Gators’ practice for the upcoming National Championship game. The picture of TJ receiving his helmet falls short of capturing all of the emotion in that room that day. TJ’s eyes were the size of saucers and they dripped tears of joy. His smile was a sweeter sight than I could have even imagined. He felt blessed that we did this for him, and we felt blessed just to see his shining smile.

 

TJ attended a National Championship practice in December of 2006. His family started flagging down players as they headed towards the locker room, and TJ’s helmet became covered with more and more signatures. When Coach Meyer walked by, he said he had been waiting for them, and he had another surprise. Coach Meyer invited TJ and his family to have lunch with the entire football team. We called TJ later that afternoon to find out how practice went to discover he was still in the middle of lunch with the team. From our limited time on the phone, I could hear what an amazing time was being had. TJ and his family later told us that Coach Meyer had brought each player on the team over and introduced them to TJ. Actually, Coach Meyer introduced TJ to the players (“Tim Tebow, I’d like you to meet TJ”). TJ intimated how special this made him feel. Tim Tebow, the Gators’ star freshman quarterback, had spent almost every minute beside TJ and his parents, talking, joking and taking pictures. TJ was so excited and in such good spirits, that he didn’t require any pain medication or his oxygen tank that day. I can’t even possibly begin to describe how inspiring it is to see what effect happiness can have on a person’s physical health. At the end of the day, TJ presented Coach Meyer an autographed picture of himself during his football days. That picture of TJ now sits atop Coach Meyer’s desk and symbolizes the affect these two individuals have had on each other.

 

TJ’s hospital visits became more frequent in January 2007. His next visit fell near the University of Florida celebration for the Gator’s victory in the National Championship game. My husband and I attended the event, and while watching the festivities, we had a brilliant idea. We lingered around after the ceremonies and were able to get a hold of Shelley Meyer, Coach Meyer’s wife. She had been extremely involved in arranging TJ’s attendance of the football practice, and we knew that she would want to know about TJ’s return to the hospital. Though we had never before met in person, as soon as she learned who I was and that TJ was back in the hospital, she stated that she would be there in 10 minutes. That afternoon, we all went up to the hospital and spent the afternoon with TJ. Mrs. Meyer brought him a National Championship hat signed by several of the players. She then called Coach Meyer and he and TJ talked on the phone – a “private conversation,” according to TJ. The very next day, Coach Meyer arrived at the hospital with quarterback Tim Tebow and Aaron Hernandez, a player new to the team. TJ was continuously amazed that such famous people, the National Champion Florida Gators, took the time to come visit him. They had brought TJ more Gator gear, including shirts and DVD’s with special highlights of the Gators’ season. But more than the gifts, what TJ most appreciated was the time these individuals spent with him. When he was with the team, he wasn’t a young man tragically stricken with cancer – he was just one of the guys, a young man sharing his love of football.

TJ passed away on January 30, 2007. His last hospital visit was short, but again Mrs. Meyer, my husband and I were at his bedside. As one would imagine, the day was enveloped in sadness and grief over the loss of such an amazing young man. In his short life of 21 years, TJ was able to touch the lives of many. TJ, and his incredible smile, will live on in the hearts of all who had the pleasure of meeting him. More than 400 people attended his services. We started this foundation because TJ allowed us to see that patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses can still experience their dreams with the help of a few passionate and caring people. TJ’s story has inspired the UF football team to engage in more community service activities, and he has inspired us to reach out and help others like him achieve their dreams. TJ desired very much to be a part of this foundation, to help get it started, and to help other patients like him follow through with their dreams. We are committed to upholding TJ’s wishes and to fulfill the dreams of those that may not otherwise have such an opportunity. To this day, he inspires us and drives us, and his memory will live on through us.