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Brenden’s Wish Story

Brenden, 11, Vancouver
Wish: to be the coach of the University of Oregon Ducks Football Team

Oregon Ducks Grant Wish with RBC Wealth Management

Eleven-year-old Brenden, of Vancouver, loves the Oregon Ducks. He qualified for a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon because he has a life-threatening medical condition – VATER syndrome with multiple birth anomalies – enduring more than 15 surgeries in his lifetime, including several when he was born. His wish to be the coach of the Ducks football team came true on Nov. 13 and 14 thanks to the support of RBC Wealth Management and the University of Oregon.

Brenden’s wish-come-true began when he spent time with coaches and players at Friday’s practice in preparation for Saturday’s game versus the Arizona State Sun Devils. At the end of practice, he led the team cheer, ran a final lap with the players and was hoisted in the air surrounded by entire team.

On game day, Brenden and his family arrived to Autzen Stadium and spent the day as a VIP, including hanging out on the field during warm-ups and watching the game from the radio broadcasting booth. He was able to see all his favorite players up close and take photos with them to remember his magical wish experience.

“The best part was my picture with Masoli,” he says, remembering when his favorite player, quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, ran over to him on the sidelines before the game to take a snapshot.

During the second quarter break, DuckVision, University of Oregon’s in-game jumbotron broadcast, played a pre-recorded feature of Brenden’s interactions with the team, then introduced Brenden up in the radio booth waving to the roaring crowd. After that, a representative from RBC Wealth Management presented a $12,000 check to Executive Director Andrew Asato, of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon, in front of a sold out crowd in Autzen Stadium.

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