A teenager in New Jersey was concerned about not being able to find a prom date, due to the effects of his chemotherapy treatments. The creation of a Facebook page didn’t result in a prom date, but the teen did get a date with Taylor Swift. She wants him to be her date for the ACM Awards.
Kevin McGuire is an eighteen year old high school student in New Jersey. He is battling leukemia. Kevin was first diagnosed with leukemia when he was thirteen years old, and in the seventh grade.
This year, Kevin wanted to go to prom, but had concerns that his cancer treatment would prevent that from happening. One of the common side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss. Kevin was worried that this would prevent him from being able to get a date for prom.
His sister, Victoria McGuire decided to create a Facebook page called “Taylor Swift – take Kevin McGuire to Prom!” Kevin is a big fan of Taylor Swift.
The siblings talked things over before the Facebook page was created, and together decided that Kevin should “reach for the stars” in his efforts to find a date for prom. His sister wrote about how wonderful her brother is, and that he really deserves to have a special event in his life. He wants to go to Prom with Taylor Swift.
Taylor Swift is an American country pop singer – songwriter, (who has also done some acting). She is twenty-two years old. Her most recent album is called “Speak Now”. You might have heard at least a few of her songs, including “Fifteen”, “Love Story”, and “You Belong With Me”.
Eventually, the Facebook page created by Victoria McGuire did get noticed by Taylor Swift. She is also on Facebook, so perhaps this was inevitable. Taylor Swift responded with:
“Kevin, I’m so sorry but I won’t be able to make it to your prom. But, I was wondering, the ACM Awards are coming up… Would you be my date? Love, Taylor”
The prom will be taking place in June of this year. The American Country Music Awards will happen in April, in Las Vegas. Kevin didn’t get the prom date he was hoping for, but many would say the date he was asked to will be a whole lot more exciting. Kevin intends to go, as long as he is healthy enough to leave Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia at that time.
He responded to Taylor Swift with:
“I have cancer. Cancer doesn’t have me. Taylor, I would love to go with you.”
Image by David Shankbone on Flickr