John Cena has surpassed another milestone for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as the pro wrestler/actor has been recognized for granting more than 650 wishes – more than double the amount of the next celeb on the list.
A tweet from WWE on Sunday acknowledged the achievement, reading, ‘@JohnCena has granted more wishes via @MakeAWish than any other celebrity in history,’ with the hashtag, #CenaMonth.
Among the other celebrities who have surpasses the 200 wish mark – aimed at inspiring children diagnosed with critical illnesses – include fellow pro wrestler Hulk Hogan, and NASCAR personalities Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon, according to ET Canada.
The latest: John Cena, 45, has surpassed another milestone for the Make-A-Wish Foundation , as the pro wrestler/actor has been recognized for granting more than 650 wishes, more than double the amount of the next celeb on the list. He was snapped last month in NYC
The WWE superstar-turned-Hollywood action hero, 45, made his first wish in 2004 and remains atop the list of most-requested stars, Make-A-Wish America said in 2019.
Cena spoke earlier this year on The Drew Barrymore Show about his motivation to remain involved with the organization amid his busy schedule.
‘The reason I love Make-A-Wish so much is because those are those families’ wishes,’ Cena said. ‘You can do anything you want, and Make-A-Wish’s list is enormous, they literally will do anything you want – “I want to kick it with John Cena and go see him wrestle” – that is the coolest thing I have ever heard in my life.’
Cena said he appreciates his ability to impact the children and their families positively with his presence.
A tweet from WWE on Sunday acknowledged the achievement, reading, ‘@JohnCena has granted more wishes via @MakeAWish than any other celebrity in history,’ with the hashtag, #CenaMonth
Cena in May of 2020 was seen visiting David Castle, a fan from Florida battling stage four cancer
Cena is slated to return to the ring next week to appear on the June 27 episode of Monday Night Raw, in commemoration of his 20th anniversary with the company. He was pictured in 2009 in Las Vegas
‘All those things considered, I love all that – I love that joy, I love that connection,’ he said.
Cena is slated to return to the ring next week to appear on the June 27 episode of Monday Night Raw, in commemoration of his 20th anniversary with the company.
Cena made headlines earlier this month when he met with Misha Rohozhyn, a 19-year-old fan with Down syndrome who was inspired by the pro wrestler as he and his family fled Ukraine amid the invasion from Russia.
Rohozhyn, who fled from Mariupol in March, met with Cena in Huizen, Netherlands, where he and his relatives have sought refuge. Rohozhyn had posters of Cena in the Mariupol apartment his family lived in before Russian forces bombed the structure.
Cena made headlines earlier this month when he met with Misha Rohozhyn, a 19-year-old fan with Down syndrome who was inspired by the pro wrestler as he and his family fled Ukraine amid the invasion from Russia
Rohozhyn’s mother Liana said she helped her son brave the perilous move from Ukraine with a ‘motivational fantasy’ that the WWE superstar-turned-Hollywood action hero would be there to greet them at the end of their travels
The teen was upset that Cena was not present when they arrived in the Netherlands in May, according to his mother
Rohozhyn’s mother Liana said she helped her son brave the perilous move from Ukraine with a ‘motivational fantasy’ that the WWE superstar-turned-Hollywood action hero would be there to greet them at the end of their travels. The teen was upset that Cena was not present when they arrived in the Netherlands in May.
Cena became aware of Rohozhyn after he was chronicled in a piece for The Wall Street Journal in May that explored the impact of war on people with disabilities.
‘When I read about Misha’s story it reached out to me – not just Misha‘s story but his mom’s as well,’ Cena said prior to meeting the teen.
He continued: ‘Having three days off from work right at the time I read the story, and being an hour away by air, it turned into “We’re going,” and that means spending an afternoon building blocks, eating cake – that’s a special afternoon when it comes to new friends I was able to meet.’
Cena presented Rohozhyn with a WWE belt, a shirt and hat and other memorabilia on the visit
Cena visited with Rohozhyn at a refugee center near Amsterdam where the family is temporarily staying.
‘Misha, very nice to meet you, I’ve come a long way to see you,’ Cena told him as he gave Rohozhyn and his mother a hug and presented him with a WWE belt, his shirt and cap, and an action figure.
Cena said of the visit: ‘Misha’s ability to embrace persistence is extraordinary, those words, never give up … they’re very powerful. I think Misha’s a great example and Misha’s mom, there’s two great examples about how persistence can lead to joy, even through the toughest of times.’
He continued: ‘This was a wonderful adventure in which I got to meet a wonderful new friend, thank you for giving me strength. How special is today? Yeah, pretty darn special.’