Preston Winslow, a 4-year-old boy with acute myeloid leukemia, received the gift of a lifetime last week when Tim Tebow invited him to play some ball, The Blaze reports.
Preston, who lives in Durham, N.C., has battled acute myeloid leukemia since early 2010. Knowing of Preston's love for Tebow, friends of the Winslow family contacted the football star's agent and team, hoping for a chance to connect him with Preston.
Preston finally met with the NFL quarterback at his training facility in Tampa, Fla., after Tebow made several calls inviting the boy and his family.
Celeste Winslow, Preston's mother, said the first call from the Denver Broncos star came as a complete surprise, the Daily Mail reports.
"I answer it and I'm like, 'Hello?', and the person on the other end was like, 'Hi Celeste, this is Tim Tebow,' and in shock, I was like 'No way'," she told WTVD.
The call was an unexpected spot of sunshine during an otherwise difficult time for the Winslow family. Despite a costly bone marrow transplant in June 2011, Preston's cancer returned a few months ago.
“After two rounds of chemo, we have been told that treatment has not worked and Preston will not be able to move forward with a second transplant,” his parents posted on Preston's League, a website that is updated with news of Preston's progress.
Accepting that the doctors could do no more for Preston, the family made the decision to enjoy the time they have left as best they can.
"We've decided not to ruin the time we have left by being down," Preston's father, James Winslow, told Tampa Bay Times.
Preston definitely looked like he was having fun over the weekend when, dressed in a Broncos Tebow jersey, he took to the field with his football idol.
"It amazes me at how much energy he had out there playing and running around. He didn't even want to stop," said his mother.
According to WPTV, Tebow high-fived Preston as they passed the ball back and forth and said, "That was so good buddy. Good job!"
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
