Q: Who referred you for the Make A Wish Foundation, and why did you decide to wish to meet Kobe Bryant?
A: The doctors informed me about Make A Wish Foundation, and they also had everything set up for me. I chose to meet Kobe Bryant because I’ve been his fan for as long as I can remember, maybe since first grade. They even told me that the wait would be long, but I didn’t care.
Q: What was going through your mind when Kobe first walked in the room?
A: As soon as he walked into the room, I was speechless and was just very happy to meet him. He was so tall; I had to look up to talk to him. He was also nice and generous. He gave me his warm up jacket from last year, and I was told that it was the only one he has ever given out.
Q: What was the most significant, or the most memorable, part of the whole experience?
A: The whole thing was memorable for me, from the moment Kobe walked in to the moment he left the room, but I’ll never forget the first thing that he said when he came in: “Where’s my man Imran at?” I was so happy that I just smiled and slowly raised my hand.
Q: How has being a cancer survivor affected your outlook on life?
A: Being a cancer survivor has made me more considerate towards others. I feel like I have a second chance, so I try to participate more on events like Relay for Life and Pennies for Patients.
Q: What can you advise to the other children who also have life threatening medical conditions?
A: I know it’s hard, but try to think positive thoughts. Always have your friends and family around as much as possible. That is one huge key to fighting cancer.
