Make-A-Wish
Surprises Student
with Dream Trip
Middle School Staff
Save Life of
Student-Athlete
A
day of afternoon recreation at Danny Jones Middle
School turned into a terrifying moment after one of
the players passed out on the football field.
At first, students thought eighth-grader Jeffrey Cotton had
slipped and fell. When he wasn’t responding, the nearby
coaches sprang into action by calling 9-1-1, alerting the
crisis team, conducting CPR chest compressions and
getting the automated external defibrillator (AED) in
hopes of regaining the student’s vital signs.
The school nurse later helped to administer the AED, and
the students blocked off traffic and guided the ambulance
to the field.
Cotton was transported to a local hospital. Doctors said
the quick thinking of everyone involved is what helped
save the eighth-grader’s life.
The coaches thanked the district’s mandatory AED, CPR
and first-aid training for allowing them to be prepared for
the emergency situation.
Cotton returned to school days later after having a
defibrillator successfully implanted into his chest for his
enlarged heart.
Creel said he is most excited to tour the Tower of London.
I
f you ask 16-year-old Andrew Creel the one place in
the world he’d like to visit, he’ll tell you with certainty
that it’s London. The Mansfield High School sophomore
is intrigued with the castles, towers and other historic
landmarks.
Creel never knew if he’d be able to make the trip across the
pond, though, because traveling has become much harder.
He was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
when he was 2 years old, meaning he loses his strength and
ability to get around.
With the help of Make-A-Wish Foundation, his dream to
travel to London came true. The organization, which grants
wishes to children with critical illnesses, coordinated with
school officials and Creel’s parents to surprise the student
with the news on campus.
It’s a trip they said they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
“This will more than likely be the last international trip that
Andrew will be able to take,” said James Creel, Andrew’s
dad, as he fought back tears. “It’ll be really special for us,
and we thank Make-A-Wish for making this happen.”
Coaches visited Cotton throughout his hospital stay.
26 Mansfield School & Family
The Make-A-Wish Foundation was granted wishes for
more than 285,000 children since its inception in 1980.
Mansfield School & Family 27