FOR AS LONG as I can remember, I have loved the game of basketball. It has been a therapeutic tool for every difficult situation Ive encountered. Basketball was light on a dark day and a friend when I felt lonely. My freshman year of high school, I made the school basketball team. I practiced for hours every day to improve my skills. One day while playing, I was accidentally hit by a teammate. Thinking that I might have pulled my groin, I kept on playing. The pain increased until I realized something was not right. I decided to tell my mother.She took me to the local emergency room, where the doctor discovered two tumors on an ultrasound. Within a few days, I had a cancer diagnosis. I will never forget the day I was told I had this awful disease.Soon after my diagnosis, I started a journey I never thought possible. It included surgery and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy made me feel as if I were not myself. I could not do any of the things that were natural daily activities. I couldnt walk, run, eat or get out of bed without assistance.That was the lowest point of my life, physically and mentally. I would think to myself, You just have to make it through today. Just worry about today. I feared that I wouldnt wake up to see a new day. I felt as if I were dying.Two Make-A-Wish Georgia volunteers came to my house to talk to me. I shared my story and my passion for basketball. I shared my love for the Miami Heat and my favorite player, LeBron James.I had my mind set on only one wish: to meet LeBron James and the Miami Heat. It was a long shot, but that was my only dream and true wish. Make-A-Wish Georgia contacted us often to assure us that they were doing everything possible to grant my seemingly impossible request.After patiently waiting, the day finally arrived. As I entered my house, I was surprised to find an ESPN TV crew. Two Miami Heat dancers greeted me at the door and handed me a CD. I put the disc into the player and was amazed to see LeBron James inviting my family to fly to Miami. My excitement could not be contained.My family and I flew to Miami. At the American Airlines Arena, I toured the locker rooms and training facility. We watched live practice. I had to pinch myself as I watched LeBron shooting baskets a few feet from me.After practice, head coach Erik Spoelstra called my name. I ran to the team huddle and met the players. Then LeBron invited me for some one-on-one playing time. For more than an hour, my favorite sports figure and I played basketball together.We talked about my high school and my basketball team. I asked him questions and threw alley-oops to him, and we had a 3-point contest. Later, LeBron presented me with several gifts to remember our time together.The next day, I was courtside watching a game next to the Miami Heat bench and cheering my team on. I was able to greet the players as they left and returned to the bench throughout the game.As if everything I had experienced were not enough, LeBron came over and presented me with his game shoes and autographed them for me after the game.A few weeks later, the Heat won the NBA championship and invited me to join them for their celebration. This was the wish that kept on giving. I will never forget that weekend. Not only was it an amazing experience to play my favorite game with the NBA Champions, but also it was closure from the most horrible time of my life.During my treatment, I constantly asked my mother, Why me? Why did I get cancer? After that incredible weekend in Miami, I found myself asking, Why me? What did I do to deserve such an amazing gift?Make-A-Wish Georgia truly changed my life. I am and will forever be grateful for the way they transformed my lifes worst experience and turned it around to become one of my most cherished memories.NHL Jerseys Outlet . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. Discount NHL Jerseys . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. https://www.chinanhljerseys.us/ .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Wholesale NHL Jerseys China . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. NHL Jerseys China . Woodson said during a radio interview Thursday that the Knicks Carmelo Anthony doesnt get the same calls as other superstars.Tasmania 7 for 295 (Doolan 79, Michael 57) beat South Australia 267 (Cooper 63, Stevenson 5-32) by 28 runsScorecard Tasmania fast bowler Cameron Stevenson picked up five wickets on debut at Hurstville Oval to prevent South Australia from reaching the Matador Cup finals. Needing to win with a bonus point in order to reach the elimination final, the Redbacks were set a tall order with a target of 296 that would need to be reached inside 40 overs.South Australia did their best to ensure their tempo was up to standard, opener and captain Travis Head racing to 35 from 18 balls and Tom Cooper making 63 off 65, and gave themselves a chance if they could keep enough wicckets in hand.ddddddddddddBut Stevenson claimed the wickets of Jake Weatherald and Jake Lehmann and then ran through the tail as the Redbacks were bowled out for 267 in the 39th over.Earlier, contributions from Alex Doolan (79), Dom Michael (57), Tim Paine (44) and Ben McDermott (44) pushed the Tigers to 7 for 295 from their 50 overs.Tasmania finished fifth on the tournament table and South Australia sixth, and the elimination final will now be played between New South Wales and Victoria for a place in the decider against Queensland. ' ' '