A Family’s 2008 Nashville PBR Wish
WESTERN WISHES CELEBRATES FIGHTING SPIRIT OF FAMILY FACED WITH ADVERSITY Nashville, Tenn—Western Wishes, an award-winning charity established in 1994 is proud to reward the fighting spirit of a family that has not one, but two children battling cancer. Darrell (16) and Anthony (5) exemplify the grit and determination to get through a very difficult time. Anthony recently lost his leg to complications from chemotherapy, but does extremely well with his prosthetic, enjoying his favorite things—riding his pony and fishing. Darrell was diagnosed a month ago with leukemia and is already on chemotherapy.
The family of six, from Gulfport, Mississippi, has experienced more adversity in the past few years than most families will experience in a lifetime. Not only are they tending to their kids medical needs, but they lost their home in Hurricane Katrina. It is suspected that the formaldehyde in the FEMA trailers provided for them contributed to the leukemia diagnosis.
Darrell & Anthony
Their wish was simple… coming from a family who loves Country Music and all things Western… they asked to see a PBR Bull Riding event and maybe meet a few Country recording artists! So, the logical thing to do was bring them to Nashville for the big PBR event on August 29th & 30th, 2008. We also added an evening at the world famous Wild Horse Saloon, in Nashville, both to honor the Family and to facilitate a fund raising event for Western Wishes! The evening featured live music, great food and was hosted by Nashville recording artist Deborah Allen (Baby I Lied). In addition, the event allowed Western Wishes National Director, Donnalyn Quintana to introduce the new directors of the Tennessee Branch of Western Wishes. Michelle and Buzz Thompson.
In addition to the festivities, there was also a silent auction, where wonderful Country Music treasures were made available to the crowd! A few of these items were not sold, and will soon be featured on this web site… keep watching for a chance to own these treasures, as well as helping Western Wishes!
Todd Pierce & Mike Lee escort the family behind the chutes prior to the event.
The second part of the Wish was an exciting evening at the Sommet Center in Nashville for the nationally televised PBR bull riding event! The evening started with a trip through the PBR Fan Zone, set up outside the Sommet Center. Here the family met with many cowboys, saw the Budweiser Clydesdales and a Brahma Bull! A special note of thanks to The Cowboy Store in Franklin, Tenn., and Pat Dunn, owner of the store and president of the Franklin PRCA rodeo, for donating brand new cowboy hats to the boys. Once inside the Sommet Center, the family was introduced to Todd Pierce, of the PBR, who took the family down to the contestant area to meet the bull riders as they prepared for the evening’s event.
Mike Lee helps Anthony pet a PBR bucking bull.
Then, the tour moved behind the bucking chutes, so the family could get a close look at bull riding, from a bull rider’s view. And to help explain things, PBR bull rider Mike Lee joined Todd Pierce behind the chutes! Also coming behind the chutes was former PRCA World Champion bull rider, and PBR champion, Mike White. Mike is sponsored by Priefert, who also is a sponsor of Western Wishes. But Mike went well above anyone’s expectations when he donated personal souvenirs to the family, then announced that any money he won that night was going to be donated to the family to help them in their family crisis!
Todd Pierce shows Anthony how to take a wrap.
After chute procedures were explained, the family moved to a display the PBR had set up, and Todd explained all the equipment and safety-gear worn by contestants.
Then, the family took their seats for the explosive action at the Nashville PBR 2008!!
And of course, when the action at the rodeo arena was over, the family moved back to their rooms at the Nashville Sheraton, where they met many of the bull riders, and past champions, such as bull riding great Tater Porter, who were also staying there!
The next morning, the family packed their van and headed home, but their cameras and minds were filled with wonderful memories that will last them a lifetime!
2008 Nashville PBR – Mike White, Anthony & Darrell
Western Wishes would like to extend a special message of thanks to all of the people and sponsors who helped make this wish come true. We would like especially to thank the Sheraton Downtown Nashville, Mike Capilla of Enterprise Rental Cars and a very special thanks to Justin McKee for highlighting the family during the PBR telecast. And our heartfelt thanks to PBR bull rider Mike White for his special attention to the family and all his contributions.