credit – Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital via Instagram
From a chilly Green Bay comes a heart-melting story via Charlotte, where a heart transplant survivor had the day of his life as a traveling fan for his beloved Carolina Panthers.
Bryson Shupe was born with a congenital heart defect, and 8 years ago, required open-heart surgery to survive. At Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, he lay in the pre-transplant ward next to another boy named TJ Olsen.
TJ is the son of a famous retired tight end for the Panthers, Greg Olsen, and while the sportscaster was visiting his son, he created a lasting friendship with young Bryson as well. It birthed a deep love of Panthers football, and a bond that wasn’t to be forgotten.
Bryson successfully underwent and recovered from the surgery, and 8 years later, had the incredible opportunity to travel to Green Bay to watch his Panthers as they engineered a surprise victory over the Packers.
Bryson got VIP treatment, and along with visiting the cockpit on his first ever flight out of Charlotte, was invited down to the field where he got to watch pre-game warmups and chat with quarterback Bryce Young—all while wearing a personalized set of fan gear, including a jersey with his name on the back that was signed by the team.
Then, Bryson took a trip up to the media deck where he reunited with Olsen, who gave him a big bear hug and asked “how good is this? How’s this for a day?”
Levine Children’s shared photos of Bryson enjoying every part of the special day, writing “we’re so proud to see Bryson having the time of his life”.
Bryson himself shared a message to transplant patients and others back home at the institute that saved his life.
“Keep pounding.”
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