Ayden Leonhardt, 17, of Wausau was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 18 months old. He is now cancer-free, and a wish he first made years ago has finally come true.
Ayden has boxed since he was 10, so his chosen wish was to see a mixed martial arts card in person. He and his father, Craig, left for Chicago on Thursday to attend Friday night's Professional Fighters League card, PFL Chicago 2: Carmouche vs. Bishop 2, at Wintrust Arena.
The wish had originally been granted several years earlier, but it did not take place at the time because of a Make-A-Wish time limit. Planning restarted four months ago after his father received an email from the foundation — a message the family at first thought might not be real.
Wausau police and fire crews gave the father and son a send-off on Thursday morning before they left. Firefighter and paramedic Hunter Wolslegel said taking part in community moments like that is a meaningful part of the job, alongside everyday emergency calls.
Along with the fight card, the pair planned to make the most of the Chicago trip, including trying classic Chicago-style pizza.
