Jude Baker was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, when he was 12 years old
Credit: 11Alive/YouTube
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- A teenager from Georgia used his single Make-A-Wish gift to help the homeless in his community
- Jude Baker was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects bone or surrounding tissue, when he was 12 years old
- “I got out of my version of heck, and I want to help others who are in a similar situation, their own version,” the teen said of why he used his Make-A-Wish opportunity for others instead of himself
A Georgia teen used his single Make-A-Wish gift to help others in his community.
Jude Baker was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects bone or surrounding tissue, when he was 12 years old, according to local outlet 11 Alive.
Baker, now 14, soon began chemotherapy after his diagnosis. He said it was even more painful than the reality that he could succumb to the illness.
“It wasn't even [the fear of] knowing I could die,” he explained, recalling his treatment to 11 Alive. “The chemo … it hurt.”
Credit: GoFundMe
Because of his diagnosis, Baker qualified for a wish with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a nonprofit that grants "wishes" to children ages 3 to 17 who are diagnosed with critical illnesses.
And while most kids will ask for things like a fun trip or meeting a celebrity, Baker instead asked for something different: to help the homeless in his area.
“I got out of my version of heck, and I want to help others who are in a similar situation, their own version,” he explained to 11 Alive of why he used the Make-A-Wish to help others.
“I wanted to help them out because I was in a bad situation and they were too,” Baker added.
Emily Campbell, who coordinates gifts for Make-A-Wish in Georgia, told the local outlet of Baker, "His only wish was to give back to his community."
“That’s not a wish we even tell kids is an option. Usually we tell them you can wish to go somewhere, to be someone or to meet someone. Jude came up with this on his own. He never had a backup wish,” she added.
Credit: GoFundMe
Make-A-Wish collected sleeping bags, packed backpacks full of supplies and prepared hot meals for homeless individuals in the area for one day.
Over 300 people ultimately received assistance because of Baker's Make-A-Wish, per 11 Alive.
The teenager, who is now in remission, said he hopes his wish helped remind others that there are always opportunities to assist those in need.
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“It doesn’t have to come from a wish. You can help too,” Baker said.
Kevin Godfrey, a local business owner, heard about Baker's heartwarming request and has since launched a GoFundMe for the teen and his family, in the hopes that Baker can use those funds to do something for himself.
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“Our goal is simple. We want to raise money to send Jude and his family on a trip they will never forget — a chance for them to step away from hospitals, treatments, and worry and simply enjoy time together making memories,” Godfrey wrote on the fundraising page.
The GoFundMe has an ultimate goal of $5,000.
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