Cole's Wish For A Trombone | Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida

Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida help a teenager achieve his dream of owning a top-of-the-line trombone and meeting the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
Cole Thompson is your everyday kid with hopes, dreams, goals, and a major affinity for #music. Cole is also living with stage IV cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma.
His parents describe him as a good kid who loves spending time with #family and friends. They go hiking, camping, and of course, his band commitments.
In middle school, Cole wanted to join the band and first tried the trumpet but eventually chose the #trombone as his instrument. It was love at first note. He found that his biggest passion is to learn and play new music.
Cole’s understanding of music astounds even his parents. He can tell you what each note means, each symbol, and while his parents are left in the dust when it comes to understanding ‘music language,’ they are always beaming with pride while hearing him play.
Like typical teenagers and their parents do, Cole and his family went to a football game. Since it had been raining, he slipped on the bleachers. A few days later he told his parents that his arm was hurting but nobody thought anything of it because he had fallen a few days earlier.
A few days later, Cole came out of the bathroom and showed his dad a swollen area near his shoulder. More than a lump, about the size of a fist, his parents took him to see a doctor. Unfortunately, this was a week after covid lockdowns began, and things were hectic. The hospitals and doctors were overwhelmed.
The first doctor they spoke to said that he had a condition called bursitis. Another physician disagreed and sent Cole for a CT scan.
Cole’s dad got the news before anyone because his wife and Cole were in the car. He didn’t want to give them the news while driving.
They immediately began treatment. Being treated for cancer is difficult enough but being treated during a global pandemic was very taxing on Cole’s mental health. He never had the energy for anything, was always tired, and was always in the hospital.
As a silver lining during his hospital stays, Cole was able to teach himself to play the guitar. He still had music to get him through the hard times.
After 9 months, they told Cole that he was free of cancer. They started living again. The next 3 months were amazing and Cole was becoming a typical teenager again.
Unfortunately, at a 6-month checkup, it was discovered that Cole had some tumors in his lungs. The doctors said this is very common with Ewing’s sarcoma.
That’s when Make-A-Wish came into the picture. It was time to work some magic.
Cole’s wish? Of course something music oriented. He wanted a trombone. Not just any trombone but a top-of-the-line, incredible instrument. So Make-A-Wish set up a special surprise at the Orlando Philharmonic.
Under the guise of free tickets from one of his dad’s coworkers, Cole went to the Philharmonic show. Eventually, the band director said his name and told him to come to the stage. Cole was shocked and got to meet the band members, and was offered free private lessons for his new trombone.
With his new instrument and private lessons, Cole is closer than ever to his dream of becoming a high school band director.
Donate to Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida: wish.org/cnfl
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[@joan53777]

Congratulations Cole! The MAW Foundation is near and dear to my heart. My only child, my son Marco Antonio was a MAW recipient many years ago, and was featured with Chuck Norris, Walker Texas Ranger TV show. Marco was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. He lived till 32. We also met the founder of MAW, years ago, Mr. Frank Shankowitz. Netflix has a movie Wish Man [2019], the story of how he started it. I'm presently working at HCHS in the ESE program as a long term sub. I will just close by saying you are in my prayers. God bless...