Make-A-Wish Kids Live Their Dream at the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl in Orlando

ORLANDO, FL – For the first time in four years, the NFL Pro Bowl Games makes its return to Orlando. Through the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and its long-standing partnership with the NFL, the league's top players graciously welcomed two resilient kids, who are battling chronic health conditions, to participate in various events this week.

Luca Spiteri, 13, a Chicago Bears fan with epilepsy and Hudson Lewis, 11, a football fan living with cystic fibrosis traveled with their families from different parts of the Midwest for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with their favorite players.

The four-day VIP experience began on Thursday night with exclusive access to the NFL Pro Bowl Games Skills Challenge at the Nicholson Fieldhouse at the University of Central Florida, where they bragged about the different autographs they got from each player and the great memories that they took away from it.

On Friday morning, Luca and Hudson took some reps on the practice field alongside the Pro Bowlers. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts even tossed a touchdown pass to each of them at the end of the NFC practice. And during the AFC practice, Luca connected with a touchdown pass of his own to Hudson, who celebrated with a nifty griddy dance before being congratulated by Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud and AFC head coach Peyton Manning.

“It’s just so great to be out on the field with and meet all these players because these are the best of the best and there’s no one else like them,” said Hudson. “It’s been a crazy fun couple of days.”

While Luca and Hudson each overcoming chronic health conditions, their stories offer inspiration and hope to other families enduring similar challenges.

Luca Spiteri of Oak Ridge, IL

After a year and a half of trying to determine the cause of his epilepsy, he was diagnosed with focal cortical dysplasia and was referred to by University of Chicago. And in August 2023, he underwent two surgeries to repair a lesion in his brain. After a month of healing and testing different medications, the recurrence of his epileptic seizures has decreased substantially to only a handful of times each month and it continues to improve.

“Luca has been phenomenal with his positive energy and continues to give us reassurance,” his mother Vikki said. “He’s brought my husband and I a lot of strength. He just persevered through it all and continues to inspire us every day.”

Luca remains committed to his sports, playing flag football and travel baseball. He looks up to Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who last year opened up about his journey of being diagnosed with epilepsy in high school and helps raise awareness for the condition.

He described this experience of being able to interact with his favorite athletes this week as being ‘amazing’ and his advice to others dealing with adversity is to “never stop believing in yourself.”

“The whole experience (this week) has been extremely powerful,” his father Gio suggested. “Everyone here has been very gracious with their time, and it’s really brought our family to the next level of support throughout this journey and we’re very appreciative of it.”

Hudson Lewis of Crawfordsville, IN

Early in his life, Hudson was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a chronic disorder that effects the respiratory system. While there is no cure for his condition, recent medical advancements in treatments offer a more encouraging outlook, but it still comes with its everyday challenges.

Hudson recently switched his treatment to a breakthrough medication Trikafta, which his father Jeremy called a ‘gamechanger.’ Additionally, he does breathing treatments twice a day with a nebulizer and vest machine to keep him healthy and able to compete in his favorite sports football, baseball and basketball.

“He is one of the toughest kids out there,” Jeremy said. “He puts up with a lot and does everything with a smile. You wouldn’t know how much he’s battling every day.”

Jeremy was also very thankful for the opportunity the NFL and Make-A-Wish Foundation provided this week.

“They’ve been awesome,” he said. “It’s been above and beyond anything that we ever expected. Hudson was pumped up he was running all over the place.”

As for Hudson, who continues to exceed beyond expectations, his inspiration and advice to his peers is to “never give up on your dreams.”

Although there were 150 miles that separated the two families apart, their experience at the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl will undoubtedly forge a bond that comes with memories that will last a lifetime.

Their busy weekend concludes with attending the NFL Pro Bowl Flag Football showdown on Sunday afternoon at Camping World Stadium.