BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Heart of a champion

By Alden Farrow, Memorial High School, School Buzz Reporter | July 16, 2025

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At age six, George Gring was granted the wish to meet the Carolina Panthers following his Burkitt lymphoma diagnosis. Now an incoming senior at Memorial High School, he has become one of the top fundraisers on the Make-A-Wish Teen Leadership Council, raising money for other kids’ wishes to be granted. Here, six-year-old George is pictured with former QB Cam Newton.

When he was six years old, George Gring was granted the wish to meet the Carolina Panthers following his Burkitt lymphoma diagnosis.

While Gring was in the hospital, he spent his time watching NFL highlights while he was at appointments and getting treatments. “I gravitated towards the Carolina Panthers because I liked their uniforms and helmets, and you can’t like the Panthers without liking Cam Newton,” Gring said. “When Make-A-Wish asked me for my wish, it was obvious to me – I wanted to meet Cam Newton.”

His favorite part of his wish being granted was hearing his name called by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and being the “first pick” of the NFL draft. “My jersey from Draft Day and the card that Mr. Goodell read from is still framed and hanging in my room,” Gring said.

As Gring, now a senior at Memorial High School, looks back on his wish, he is eternally grateful to Make-A-Wish and their impact on his joy during a difficult time. “[Wishes] give kids like me something positive to remember about a time that was otherwise scary, stressful, and very hard on me and my family,” Gring said.

To other kids going through what he did, George urges them to stay strong and positive. “Know that your family, your friends, your doctors, and your nurses all have your back and will be with you every step of the way,” Gring said.

Due to his fulfilling experience in having his wish granted, Gring wanted to offer the same experience to other wish kids by raising money. Gring has joined Make-A-Wish’s Teen Leadership Council, leading in fundraising. He won the Fundraising Champion Award and Mission Ambassador Award for his efforts in raising over $5,000 for the Make-A-Wish mission.

“I want all other kids that are suffering life-threatening illnesses to have an incredible and special experience, just like I did,” Gring said. “And I’m very thankful to all of my friends and family that donated to Make-A-Wish to make that a possibility.”