Watch Make-A-Wish Reveal For Florida Teen

SARASOTA, FL — Max LaForge got the surprise of his young life Friday as Make-A-Wish Southern Florida granted the 10th grader's wish to meet members of the New Orleans Saints football team.

"I was told that there is at least one student in the audience who already knows about Make-A-Wish. Max? Wherever Max is, can he come up here?" asked Jessica McIntyre, regional director of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.

With that, the Pine View School Jazz Band broke into "When the Saints Go Marching In," and Make-A-Wish representatives unfurled a banner with the Saints logo that read: "Max, you're going to meet the Saints!"

Watch the big reveal below, courtesy of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida:

Pine View School Principal Stephen Covert was in on the Make-A-Wish surprise, as were a number of School District of Sarasota County employees who helped keep the secret.

The 16-year-old LaForge, who has cystic fibrosis, will head for New Orleans to meet players from the New Orleans Saints. He also will attend a private practice with the team before attending this coming Monday night's game in which the Saints take on the Indianapolis Colts at home.

McIntyre said the organization grants about 50 wishes to Sarasota area children each year, with each wish costing about $8,000. Make-A-Wish Southern Florida grants nearly 600 wishes each year throughout its regions.

"Wishes really are medicine. They're not just nice," McIntyre told Max and his fellow Pine View students. "They're necessary."