Teen Grants Wish by Giving Back to Others

A Georgia teen who fought off a rare bone cancer used his Make-A-Wish to help the homeless, putting together supplies and meals for hundreds.
Jude Baker, now 14 and from Summerville, got hit with Ewing Sarcoma back when he was 12. That’s a tough cancer that starts in bones or the nearby soft tissue. He powered through months of chemo that really took a toll, causing serious pain along the way.
Once he hit remission and rang that hospital bell to mark the end of treatment, Baker qualified for a wish through Make-A-Wish Georgia. But instead of picking a fun trip or a celeb meet-up like many kids do, he went a different route. Baker told organizers he wanted to help people dealing with homelessness, something he spotted during his own hospital runs.
Baker said he got through his rough patch and figured he could help others in theirs. Emily Campbell, who handles wishes for the Georgia chapter, noted that Baker dreamed this up all by himself, no backups or hints from anyone. They don’t even pitch community givebacks as an option usually.
Volunteers in Summerville teamed up with Make-A-Wish to make it happen. They stuffed backpacks full of basics, rounded up sleeping bags, and cooked up hot food for anyone who needed it. In the end, the effort reached over 300 people.
Baker set a firm rule for himself: he wouldn’t grab a bite until every last person in line got served. His dad shared how tough it was watching his son suffer through treatment, feeling that pain as a parent.
Now cancer-free, Baker’s hoping his story pushes more people to pitch in, wish or no wish.
Jude… You’re absolutely amazing. Thank you!