HERMON — A Hermon teen’s story will be featured on ESPN-TV tonight at 6 in the SportsCenter series titled “My Wish,” which chronicles sports-related wishes involving leading sports figures and granted to five children each year.
Jeffrey Buzzell, 15, lives with a kidney that is functioning at 25 percent and he is about to be put on a transplant list. His condition, Alport Syndrome, is well-known to his family. His grandmother and uncle both died from the disorder, which can cause renal failure.
One of Jeffrey’s favorite things to do besides junking — finding old appliances, taking them apart and selling off the pieces — is watching NASCAR with his family.
His favorite driver is Dale Earnhardt Jr. For his Make-A-Wish, Jeffrey asked to meet Dale Jr.
“I wanted to ask for something that I could never be able to do on my own,” he said.
His wish was selected to become part of the partnership that Make-A-Wish Foundation of America has with ESPN.
This year’s series, broadcast July 18-22, will bring the total of original “My Wish” episodes since 2006 to 30.
Jeffrey and his family will watch the program at the Sports Arena in Hermon.
In a matter of weeks, Jeffrey’s wish went from a dream to reality, and he became a star.
A crew of cameramen and producers came to Bangor where, along with Make-A-Wish volunteers and staff, they revealed to Jeffrey and his family that his wish would be granted.
The surprise happened at Blackbeard’s USA in Bangor, where Jeffrey thought he was going for a casual day at the go-kart track. The next day, SportsCenter host Chris Connelly and the crew went to the family’s house for interviews. A few days later, Jeffrey was on a plane to North Carolina to go-kart with Earnhardt and to watch the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star race at Charlotte Speedway.
Jeffrey thought that his wish would be finished after he shook Earnhardt’s hand and had a quick chat. But Earnhardt brought him for a ride in his car, showed him around his property and invited him to sit with his pit crew during the race the next day.
Jeff and his family were given a garage tour while at Charlotte, courtesy of the NASCAR Foundation.
Jeffrey’s wish marked a special anniversary of Dale Earnhardt Jr. granting 200 wishes to Make-A-Wish children.
The popular NASCAR driver began his relationship with Make-A-Wish Foundation in 1999, and he is among a handful of celebrities and top athletes to have granted so many wishes.
“The day was crazy at the track,” said Jeffrey. “I got to go to Dale’s trailer, his car and meet many more drivers. The part I never would have expected was being part of driver introduction. Before the race, I went on stage with Dale and waved to the crowd. Then, I did a lap around the track!”
Jeffrey said that he had the time of his life and will “never forget my amazing trip or the amazing people I met.”
On average, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine grants a wish to a Maine child living with a life-threatening medical condition every five days, with each wish costing approximately $6,000.
Fundraisers are held throughout the year to continue delivering hope, strength and joy to these deserving children.
Make-A-Wish Foundation acknowledged the support of volunteer wish granters Stephanie Collins and Joe Simpson, ESPN, Blackbeard’s USA, NASCAR and Travis Bell Photographers.
The Maine Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has more than 200 volunteers statewide and a staff of six, with offices in Camden and Portland. For information, visit www.mainewish.org.