A Tulsa boy with terminal cancer received a special surprise on Saturday at his thirteenth birthday party.
Hunter Hargreaves was diagnosed last year with bone cancer, and now the local community is rallying behind the family to give him the best birthday of his life.
Hunter just found out his 13th birthday wish came true.
"We’re going to Florida to see sea turtles and watch them hatch," said Hunter.
Last April, Hunter found out he had Osteosarcoma, a cancerous tumor in the bone.
"I have a metal leg, a whole metal leg in place," Hunter said. "Whenever the tumor got in there it cracked all my bones right here."
Tiffany Scherado worked with Hunter’s mom, Sarah Hargreaves, at a local non-profit.
When she heard about his condition, she reached out to a group of family owned local businesses that were able to put together enough money to send the family to Florida to see “The Theater of the Sea,” an exhibit of sea turtles.
"When I was little I always wanted to be a sea turtle rescuer," Hunter said.
"We just wanted to do a little something to bring them a little bit of happiness among the stress," Scherado said. "At first, they were said no, we don’t want that because you know, no one really wants to ask for help."
The unexpected gesture, giving the family a chance to focus on what matters most."
"It was heartwarming. Absolutely, it was heartwarming," Hargreaves said. "I didn’t realize, I mean I know that people care but to actually see that, it’s very nice."
Hargreaves said they all still have their tough days dealing with the cancer, but said Hunter is a tough kid, staying positive through it all.
"When he was in first grade, his teacher told him that if Santa Clause ever retired, he should take over," Hargreaves said. "So, he’s just super positive most of the time."
A positive, brave boy, who’s just excited to celebrate his birthday.
"I’m ready to become a teenager and not be called a kid anymore," Hunter said.
Hunter and his family will fly out next week and will be in Florida for his actual birthday for him to live out his dream with the sea turtles.
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