A dream come true: JCMC patient meets football hero and receives signed helmet and jersey
Remy Le must have felt like he won the Super Bowl.
After enjoying a special Super Bowl party from his Jersey City Medical Center bed, the 26-year-old Jersey City resident got the chance to meet his all-time favorite player, Eagles’ legend and Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins.
Diagnosed with metastatic gastric cancer, Le has been under the care of the clinical team at Jersey City Medical Center since the fall 2019.
Upon learning that Le was such a big Eagles and Dawkins fan, the palliative care team at the RWJBarnabas Health facility took it upon themselves to apply to the Dream Foundation to see if they could secure some Philadelphia Eagles and Dawkins memorabilia for Le.
The Dream Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides inspiration, comfort and closure at the end of life for terminally ill adults, quickly responded and provided Le with an autographed Eagles helmet signed by Dawkins, as well as a gift card so that the JCMC staff could throw him a Super Bowl party.
“We are honored to have had an opportunity to fulfil Remy’s final dream,” a Dream Foundation spokesman said. “We hope this final dream provided inspiration and comfort for Remy, his family, and friends.”
Palliative care nurse practitioner Erin Woodkotch and palliative care social worker April Mays wanted to do more for Le, so they reached out to Dawkins. They shared Le’s story and how the 26-year-old shares Dawkins’ strong commitment to the Christian faith.
Dawkins was touched by the heartfelt request and made arrangements to speak with Le and his family via a FaceTime video chat. During the FaceTime chat, the men had a chance to pray together.
During their call, Dawkins also told Le he would send him a signed Eagles jersey.
“The conversation gave Remy’s parents and his family a chance to see him experience such joy during this terrible time,” Woodkotch said. “Getting the call from Dawkins gave Remy so much happiness and excitement, and waiting for the signed jersey gave him something to look forward to.”
Dawkins, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 after a 16-year career that included nine Pro Bowl appearances, cited a Bible verse when asked what made him reach out to Le.
“To whom much is given, much is required,” he said. “Growing up, faith and Christianity was modeled in my household. I credit my father for instilling strong Christian values in me and for always keeping a positive attitude. I am humbled to be Remy’s hero.”
