Anyone who has watched SportsCenter this week knows that it’s My Wish week. You know this because Chris Connelly is trying to make you cry every morning when you’re eating your Cheerios. (What? Just me?)

So with that in mind, I’m bring you this story of John Challis and A-Rod. Challis, a cancer patient, was featured in a SportsCenter story about a month ago. (His video is below the jump.) A-Rod, as you know has been in the news lately as being linked to a married pop star.

Challis met the Yankees last week in Pittsburgh. When Challis’ father called the Yankees this week to tell them John would be in town to see Yankee Stadium, the Yankees offered their third baseman to chauffeur.

The ride to the Stadium took 25 minutes. Rodriguez played the part of tour guide perfectly. John mentioned Central Park and A-Rod talked about how much his family loves to go there. Rodriguez then picked up a plastic bag on the console and said, “This is my lunch. I always take my lunch to the ballpark. I’ve got to get a new bag, though.”He told John how the ride to Yankee Stadium was something he looked forward to every day. It gives him time to think about that day’s pitcher, to focus, to prepare. A-Rod and John talked about a lot of things, baseball, traffic, music, New York and family.

I don’t think I’m out of line when I say that we sports fans, as a collective, are a little jaded by today’s athletes. And while some may question A-Rod’s motives in this situation because of the timing and need for some good publicity, I think it’s important to remember that none of that probably matters to John Challis or his family. John and his family have been through hell and kept their heads up.

Hopefully, more athletes and teams continue to get involved with kids like John, because they do have a positive experience in their lives. Simply put, kids like John deserve it. Even if it does mean my Cheerios taste a bit more teary.

[Story and picture: NY Post]