Kids Wish Network, Purdue University, and Alienware Team Up to Make 13-Year-Old Gamer's Dream Come True

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., November 18, 2024 (Newswire.com) -  Kids Wish Network is excited to announce the fulfillment of a special wish for 13-year-old Hunter Breitenstein from Leesburg, Florida, in partnership with Purdue University and Alienware. Hunter, who has been bravely battling Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a progressive kidney disease, recently enjoyed an unforgettable weekend at Purdue University. He participated in a 3-on-3 scrimmage, explored the campus during a private tour where he visited legendary landmarks, and received a special donation from Alienware, among other experiences!

Hunter, now in stage 3 of his illness, was born prematurely and has lived with kidney disease his entire life. As his condition advances, his family sought to uplift his spirits with a wish that combined his passion for gaming and adventure. Hunter, an avid player of Fortnite and Rocket League, had the opportunity to tour Purdue’s state-of-the-art gaming lounge, participate in an esports scrimmage with the varsity Rocket League team, and immerse himself in the full university experience.

“We are beyond thankful to Purdue University and Alienware for their generosity in making Hunter’s wish a reality,” said Tam Lai, Executive Director at Kids Wish Network. “This weekend gave Hunter hope, joy, and unforgettable experiences during a difficult time.”

Weekend Highlights

Hunter’s dream weekend included numerous exciting activities that made it truly unforgettable. Hunter and his family enjoyed an exhilarating Purdue vs. Penn State football game from the Vice Provost (AVP) suite, cheering on the team while indulging in an array of unlimited snacks and beverages!

The weekend's highlight was an exclusive tour of the university’s Alienware Purdue Gaming Lounge, where Hunter participated in a scrimmage with the varsity Rocket League team, proudly wearing his custom jersey adorned with his gaming tag, a special gift from Purdue University.

"We are proud to partner with Kids Wish Network to share an unforgettable weekend with Hunter and his family. Moments like these showcase the incredible power of community and connection within the gaming world. Hosting this community on campus allows us to create a positive, uplifting space around something people love—especially during challenging times,” said Dr. Beth McCuskey, Purdue University's vice provost for student life.

Epic Gift Donation from Alienware

The weekend culminated in an unforgettable moment when Alienware, Dell Technologies' iconic gaming brand, surprised Hunter with a donation of an incredible gaming package. Hunter’s eyes lit up as he received a high-performance gaming system—truly a dream come true for any gaming enthusiast. Equipped with cutting-edge features, this top-tier system will allow Hunter to immerse himself in his favorite games like never before.

“For many, gaming isn’t just a pastime; it’s a sanctuary. When we heard that Hunter shares a love for both Alienware and the Boilermakers, inviting him to the Alienware Purdue Gaming Lounge felt like a no-brainer. On behalf of Alienware, we’re thrilled to gift Hunter a new Alienware laptop, allowing him to take a piece of the Alienware Purdue Gaming Lounge experience home with him,” shared Christie Tomich, manager of Experiential Partnerships at Alienware. 

"If the smiles on our students' faces were any indication, they truly enjoyed playing Rocket League with Hunter, experiencing the sense of community that RecWell is all about. We hope he and his family felt the same joy and connection during their visit to Purdue, creating unforgettable memories for everyone involved,” said Mike Warren, senior director of Recreation & Wellness at Purdue University.

About Kids Wish Network
Kids Wish Network is a charitable organization dedicated to making dreams come true for children facing life-threatening illnesses and life-altering situations. Through wish-granting, the organization provides opportunities for children to experience moments of joy and hope amidst their challenging journeys.

About Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research institution demonstrating excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two colleges in the top four in the United States, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, including nearly 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.

Source: Kids Wish Network