Meeting a hero
I first met Frank in Arizona on February 17, 2018. He was a keynote speaker at an event my original buddy and I attended. That day he shared a movie trailer, still in production, for the “Wish Man.” There was not a dry eye in the house. Little did I know that day how much Frank Shankwitz would personally touch my life as he had so many.
As the “first” President and Co-founder of a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to easing the suffering of those affected by cancer, I could so relate with the man who at one time held the same title and role. Make-A-Wish grants wishes, CB4L.org is creating buddies. Frank became my role model, and I felt a connection from that first meeting.
I ordered his book immediately and read it that night it arrived. “Wish Man: Kindness, Close Calls and the Magic of Making Wishes Come True.” My love for this man grew and grew as I got to know him and the story of his life. “Everyone Can Be A Hero.” So true, so very true.
My wish came true
On March 27, 2019, I announced that Frank Shankwitz had agreed to be on my Advisory Board for CB4L.org (Chemo Buddies for Life.)
I will always remember the moment my hero asked me, “Do you have a question for me?”
We were at an event in Los Angeles and an “after-party” for the Academy Awards. At the moment he asked me, we were in a breakfast room at the hotel we were all staying. It was a unique situation. Usually, there were people all around, yet at this moment, we were the only two people in the room.
He invited me to sit with him.