“It was about three weeks before Christmas 2009. I was 10 years old, when I said, ‘Mom I have a lump in my neck.’

The next day is when all the doctor’s appointments, biopsies, MRIs, and hospital visits began. I was diagnosed with Malignant Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid. Due to the size of the tumor I had to have my entire thyroid removed. It was removed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York, February 2010.

Later that summer I had to undergo radioactive therapy. That was weird because the pill I had to take was kept in a lead box and when they opened it, it was smoking. I had to swallow that pill. My mother was trying to make me feel better by telling me that I might be like Spiderman (remember when the radioactive spider bit Peter Parker).

Then I was put in a room by myself with a lead wall between me, my mom and grandmother. I had to stay in the hospital, until the Geiger counter results showed that radiation levels were low enough before I could go home. They had to make sure the levels were low so that I wouldn’t harm anyone with the amount of radiation I was emitting. I needed the radioactive therapy because the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes.

After biopsies, surgery, during radioactive therapy and all those days in bed, I spent many hours watching Spiderman, Hulk, X-men and Ironman and recently Captain America and Thor. I watched the movies over and over again. When I had to have nuclear scans to check my levels, I wasn’t allowed to move for hours. I had to hold very still, my mom would read Marvel Comics to help pass the time.

Then my Dad and Mom told me, I was granted a wish. Make-A-Wish has granted me a wish! Right away I knew what I wanted…

‘I want to meet Stan Lee.’

Mom said, ‘Who is Stanley?’

Almost everybody said that, when I told them my wish. I had to explain it’s, S T A N  L E E.

After watching the movies so many times, I had questions about some of the Marvel Movies and the heroes. So I thought, why not go straight to the source and ask Stan Lee? Volunteers, Vanessa and Frank, from Make-A-wish came to my house to find out what I wanted for a wish.

A month later, I was in Philadelphia at Wizard World Comic Con asking Stan Lee my questions. I was so nervous and excited, but mostly excited. It was an honor to meet Stan Lee, the genius behind all those heroes.

I enjoyed getting to know Mr. Lee and having him answer my questions. He was great. He didn’t want to leave but he had to go back to his fans. Mr. Lee said that he would love to meet me again and that I asked great questions. If I get the privilege to meet him again, there is one question I forgot to ask, which metal is stronger adamantium or vibranium? This will help me dispute an argument I have with my brother Harry about who would win in a fight Captain America or Wolverine.

Prior to meeting Stan Lee in the “green room” at Wizard World in Philadelphia my family and I got to meet Patrick Stewart (so awesome), James Hong (too cool), Erin Gray, Kate Mulgrew, Jimmy Hart, Avery Brooks, Dean Cain and of course, Chris Hemsworth (made mom’s wish come true). However, the highlight of the day was the time I spent with Stan Lee.

Since our meeting Stan Lee has inspired me to pursue my dream of working in animation. He told me “as long as you love what you are doing, it is never work”. I have learned that life is short and it is a precious gift. I hope one day I would be able to “never work” and bring joy to so many people, just like Stan Lee has done for me.

I want to thank Stan Lee, his assistants, and everyone that helped to make this day possible. Especially, all the people at Make-A-Wish for making my wish come true.”

-Eddie