A 14-year-old cancer survivor from Georgia just reminded all of us what it looks like to put others first.
Jude Baker spent months fighting Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. The treatment was brutal. But when he finally rang the bell marking the end of chemotherapy, his first thought wasn’t about himself.
Make-A-Wish Georgia gave Jude the chance to wish for anything. A trip. An adventure. A celebrity meeting. Instead, Jude had noticed people experiencing homelessness during his hospital visits, and he couldn’t stop thinking about them.
His only wish was to give back.
With help from Make-A-Wish and local volunteers, Jude’s wish became a full community effort. Backpacks full of supplies, sleeping bags, and hot meals were handed out to more than 300 people. And Jude set one personal rule for himself: he wouldn’t eat until every single person in line had been served first.
“I got out of my version of heck,” he said. “And I want to help others who are in a similar situation.”
The community took notice. Local business owners launched a GoFundMe to send Jude and his family on a trip of their own, one focused on joy and rest after everything they’ve been through. More than $60,000 has already been raised.
Jude’s message to the rest of us? You don’t need a wish to make a difference.
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