Make-A-Wish Grants Lawton Teen's Shopping Dream

A Lawton teenager battling cancer got the shopping trip of a lifetime thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma.

Monday, November 9th 2009, 8:11 pm

By: News 9


By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

LAWTON, Oklahoma -- A Lawton teenager battling cancer got the shopping trip of a lifetime thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma.

The 13-year-old had been waiting for this day for months. The day started out with a send off from his classmates in Lawton then it was VIP treatment in a limo for the teen and his family all the way to Oklahoma City.

“My wish was to go on a shopping spree so I could get things that I wanted,” Demetrius Shields said.

But his first stop was lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings and he brought his family along for the experience.

“He gets to do things that makes him happy because he aint had a happy summer or anything,” said Demetrius’ father Samuel Ruckel.

Demetrius was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. After months of doctor visits and treatments, he's finally healthy enough to get out of the house and enjoy his wish.

The Make-A-Wish foundation made sure he got the red carpet treatment the entire day.

“He could be a superstar for the day. That was our goal and thus far I think he's feeling pretty good,” said Kandy Parsons with Make-A-Wish of Oklahoma.

While over 50 percent of the kids wish for vacations, a shopping trip to Wal-Mart and the mall was enough to make Demetrius one happy teen.

“I chose a shopping spree and not Disney World or Sea World or any of that because I'm more familiar with Oklahoma City,” Demetrius said.

His goal was to stock up on clothes and electronics, even pick out toys for his little cousin. Demetrius is thankful for the wish come true. He wants other kids battling life threatening medical conditions to have the same opportunity.

“I think it's important cause they had to go through trouble in their life and go through all this and I think it's just fair that they get something like this,” Demetrius said.

Demetrius is also into music and part of his wish was to pick out a drum set.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation plans to grant wishes to over 160 Oklahoma children this year.

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