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Teen with cancer's Final Four wish about to come true

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A dream is about to come true for an Iredell County boy who is battling brain cancer.

Earlier this week, Channel 9 reported about Matthew Bailey top 10 list of big wishes.

On Friday afternoon, the 13-year-old and his family boarded a plane headed to the NCAA Final Four in Texas.

Matthew's top 10 list consists of meeting Johnny Manziel, Tim Tebow, play horse with Michael Jordan and play a pickup game with Kevin Durant.

Matthew's pastor encouraged him to create the list as a way to take his mind off of an aggressive treatment he is undergoing.

"I just wanted to make a wish list to put on the church website, just a fun thing to do I guess," Matthew said.

The post has spurred a social media movement. Hundreds on Twitter and Facebook have sent messages of support to Matthew and recently a family friend stepped forward offering free tickets to the Final Four.

WSOCTV.com revealed Matthew's top 10 list on Twitter and the hashtag #Top10ForMatt caught on quickly and spread.

"We didn't think we were going to go at first  because I'm sick and we didn't think a doctor was going to let us go, but the doctors were all for it and then US Airways paid for our tickets to fly down to Dallas and everything is taken care of," Matthew said.

"It's just amazing how people have rallied around and really helped to keep his spirits up," Don Bailey, Matthew's father.

Matthew said he is grateful too, but he also wants the community to remember other children who are also battling cancer fighting to live.

"Pray for other people doing the same stuff as I do. We go down there to where I have to do my treatment and there's people who need help, need the prayers more than I do, so just help them, pray for them," Matthew said.

Matthew said he will be rooting for the Kentucky Wildcats this weekend.

Join us on Twitter by using the hashtag #Top10ForMatt.
 

Matthew Bailey's Top 10 list:

No. 1:
Throw a football with Cam Newton

No. 2:
Play H-O-R-S-E with Bobcats owner Michael Jordan

No. 3:
Tebow with Tim Tebow

No. 4: Play a pick up game with Kevin Durant

No. 5: Meet Johnny Manziel

No. 6: Go to the NCAA Final Four

No. 7: Visit Cameron Indoor Arena, meet Coach K

No. 8: Sit courtside for a Miami Heat game 

No. 9: Go to the Super Bowl 

No. 10: Go to an NBA Finals game

PAST COVERAGE:

Social media makes teen with cancer's wish list come to life
Community works to fulfill wish list for teen fighting brain cancer