John Cena set a new record this year, but this record doesn’t have to do with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He set a new world record with the number of wishes he’s granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His latest record-breaking number: 650 wishes granted.
John Cena Set a New Record (Against Himself)
Does the “against himself” part make the fact that John Cena set a new record sound less impressive? Don’t be fooled, this record-breaking number is even more impressive when understood within the context.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, which has been operating for more than 40 years, has helped more than 340,000 kids suffering from serious illness. The foundation grants wishes to children between ages two-and-a-half to 18, by letting them choose to go to an event, meet a celebrity, or give a gift.
“Research shows that children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness,” according to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “A wish replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with hope.”
In 2002, the same year John Cena joined the WWE, he began granting wishes.
According to Cena, he told the foundation, ‘If you ever need me for this ever, I don’t care what I’m doing, I will drop what I’m doing and be involved because I think that’s the coolest thing.’”
Now, 20 years later, he has just granted his 650th wish.
Who did John Cena beat with his 650th wish? Himself. But that’s because no one, aside from John Cena, has ever granted more than 300 wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Translation: John Cena has to break his own records because no one can even get close to competing with him.
Breaking Good News Alert
John Cena has set a new record for most wishes granted through the Make A Wish Foundation.
He has now granted 650 wishes to critically ill children — more than anyone else in history. pic.twitter.com/5pJvXMduPk
— Goodable (@Goodable) September 23, 2022
This charitable action wasn’t only recognized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, however. The Guiness Book of World Records has officially recognized the WWE celebrity and Hollywood star as the record-holder.
In a statement the Guiness Book of World Records made to National Public Radio (NPR), the organization noted the accomplishment saying, “We’re thrilled to celebrate John Cena and his involvement with the Make-A-Wish foundation.”
Given the record, it may not come as a surprise that the 45-year-old actor has been actively involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and personal records aren’t the only ones he’s set with the foundation. Also, John Cena set a new record in 2012 by granting the foundation’s 1,000th wish.
And in 2015 when John Cena set a new record with his 500th wish, he talked about his enthusiastic for the cause in a commemorative video posted to YouTube. “I can’t say enough how cool it is to see the kids so happy, and their families so happy, I truly want to show them that it’s their day,” Cena said.
You can watch the full video from 2015 here:
According to Cena, when he hears of a child’s wish to meet him, he drops everything to do it. “If I can offer a fantastic experience, I’ll be first in line to do my part,” he said.
So what does Cena do when he meets these children? Read on to find out.
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