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Boy, 7, with cancer gets ultimate wish to play football with Panthers

By Liz Foster
By Liz Foster

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Parker Cowherd is a huge Panthers fan. That’s why when he was diagnosed six months ago with a rare cancer, his family coined their motto as "Keep Pounding for Parker."

His mother, Allison Cowher, told Eyewitness News anchor Liz Foster that Parker's brain tumor is inoperable, so the 7-year old is in the middle of a year-long chemotherapy treatment at Levine Children's hospital.

READ OUR ORIGINAL STORY: 7-year-old with rare form of cancer to join Panthers Tuesday

"He's having to go through this stuff that no child should have to go through," Allison Cowherd said.

On Tuesday, the first-grader will not only get a well-deserved break from all he's been through, he'll get the chance of a lifetime: to be a Panthers player for a day.

"(I get) to practice with them," Parker said.

Thursday, at his school in Huntersville, Parker was surprised to learn the Make-a-Wish foundation and the Panthers organization are making his dream come true.

His classmates watched as he not only got an official jersey with his name on it, but a top secret playbook that said, “For Carolina Panthers players and coaches only.”

"Knowing he had an MRI today and is scheduled to start another chemo treatment next Wednesday, this is just so exciting for him and really gives him something to look forward to,” Allison Cowherd said.

Parker will report to the team's practice field on Tuesday at 8 a.m.

Follow Parker's journey at keeppoundingforparker.com.

This isn't the first time the Panthers have helped a young fan be a part of the team.

Last year, Braylon Beam was made the team's honorary head coach.

The 6-year-old is battling brain cancer. Braylon even got to go to see the Panthers in the Super Bowl.

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