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SALT LAKE CITY — A Wisconsin teen's wish to hug the Utah Jazz Bear came true Tuesday by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Elizabeth Cropper, a die-hard Jazz fan has watched the team from her hometown in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with her dad Ryan, a West Valley Native, for years. Her favorite part of the game is spotting out the bear. But Tuesday, she got to experience the Jazz in a whole new way with her favorite bear by her side.
Her neurologist back in Wisconsin referred Elizabeth to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. After a year of waiting, her wish was granted.
The 13-year-old girl has cerebral palsy and has had seizures since birth. Out of all the things she could have wished for, she chose to come to Utah to meet the Jazz Bear to give him a hug.
“It’s great to see her happy," said her mom Angie. "It’s a lot of hard stuff, but it’s really great to have a day that’s all about her. She’s a great kid who has had to endure some things that are hard for a kid to do; she’s a trooper.”
Her day began with a lunch with the Jazz dancers at her favorite restaurant Red Robin. Bear surprised her with a confetti cannon in hand and gifts for Elizabeth. He later picked her up for a ride around town on a Salt Lake City fire truck.
But that was only the beginning of the day for Elizabeth as the bear had more in store for her. After her ride around town, she went to Vivint Smart Home Arena for dance lessons and a makeover from the Jazz Dancers before the game against the Detroit Pistons.
“She loves the Jazz and the Bear, so it’s been magical to see the community come together and put together this experience like this for her,” said Make-A-Wish coordinator Christina Wright.
At the game, Elizabeth got to accompany her new pal Bear on his motorcycle for the pregame intro. She was also recognized on the court and even got to meet the Jazz players.
“Awesome, it’s Awesome,” Elizabeth said on her Jazz packed day.
For Elizabeth, it was a day to remember, and her parents said they couldn’t remember the last time she smiled so much.
“It’s been a lot of fun to watch Elizabeth light up particularly when she sees the Bear,” her father Ryan said. Lexi Lewis is studying public relations at Utah Valley University. You can follow her on twitter @lex_lew1018.
