Lorelei Decker has faced more obstacles in her young life than anyone should ever have to. Stricken with cancer, this inspiring teen takes on her challenges with humor, grace, determination and style. It was never more evident than Thursday evening in Phoenix as Lorelei and her family joined Thunder Coach Scott Brooks to accept a national award given to the Thunder from the Make-A-Wish Foundation for granting her wish in April to be a Thunder coach for a day.
Coach Brooks told Make-A-Wish leaders from across the nation how Lorelei has inspired him, his coaches and his players. “A lot of times we go through life and we see or meet people and we wonder why they are in our lives,” Brooks said. “I KNOW why Lorelei is in our lives. Because she’s a special young lady, a beautiful young lady, she is the superstar among all the stars I’m able to hang out with every day with my team. I thank her for that.”
For Lorelei it was a big day: flying with Coach Brooks on a Lear Jet provided by a Make-A-Wish donor, sharing stories with other Make-A-Wish kids and meeting WWE star John Cena, honored at the event for granting more than 300 wishes.
“It’s been more than I expected,” she said. Friday, she enters the hospital for at least a month as she undergoes a bone marrow transplant. She said the excitement of the Phoenix trip has done wonders for her spirits and has kept her mind off what’s ahead. “I’m not thinking about that. I’m thinking about how I got to have a day like today, spend the day with Coach Brooks, fly on a Lear jet, meet John Cena! That’s what the Thunder does for me. It helps me keep my mind on positive things.”
At the Thunder, we’re sending our prayers and lots of positive thoughts Lorelei’s way.
John Rohde at the Oklahoman wrote a nice piece on Lorelei and the Make-A-Wish honor for the Thunder. You can read it here.
And you can return to April and read the story and watch the video we produced of Lorelei’s granted wish: a day as a Thunder Coach.
-Dan Mahoney
As Andrea’s mother and Lorelei’s grandma “Mahmoo”, I can’t say THANK YOU enough to the Thunder organization and Coach Brooks for all they’ve done and are doing for our precious girl…and for all the other people out there that benefit from their generosity. They are the epitomy of what true sportsmanship is.
I’ll be a fan forever!!! GO THUNDER!!!
What a special thing! So proud of Scott, the organization and the whole team for caring and making a difference. I use you all in my Sacramento CA community college classroom for examples ALL THE TIME! Go THUNDER!
Kudos to our Thunder!!! They are the epitome of professionalism.. There all limited on their time but place no restrictions on time when helping individuals or community involvement . Were so fortunate here in OKC to have such a classy and giving organization.. GO THUNDER !!!!