Parker’s Wish Experience
March 05, 2018 | Men's Basketball, Badgers Give Back
Young cancer survivor energizes Badger men’s basketball
As the team prepared to battle the Indiana Hoosiers on Tuesday, Jan. 2, they welcomed a special guest to the Kohl Center. A guest who had faced a tough battle of his own just two years before.
At age 4, Parker was diagnosed with brain cancer and began treatment at the American Family Children's Hospital, where he spent almost three years fighting for his life. His journey, as he describes it, was long and hard, but you would have never guessed it that night as he cheered on the Badgers.
During pre-game warm-ups, Parker joined the team on the bench where he bonded over trampolines and fidget spinners with sophomore point guard, D'Mitrik Trice and redshirt freshman, Michael Ballard.
Parker immediately found comfort on the Badger bench, talking to the players about anything and everything he could think of, until he was almost out of breath. His continuous excitement and energy brought smiles to the Badgers' faces and some extra luck, as the team went on to beat the Hoosiers that night 71-61.
Parker's love for Badger athletics grew during his time at the children's hospital as student-athletes made special visits to patients for Badger Friday and Caleb's Pitch. "It's really a wonderful opportunity for these kids," says Parker's mother, Julie Dahlen. "It means the world to these kids because they look up to [the Badgers] and they were fighting for their lives."
Parker left the Kohl Center that night again, with his blanket in hand, but this time with a few new friends and memories to tell everyone at school the next day.
Visit Badgers Give Back to learn more about this program and additional Wish Upon a Badger experiences.
Main Photo: Parker instantly made friends with Michael Ballard and D'Mitrik Trice on the Badger bench during pre-game warm ups.
