Teen gets Super Bowl tickets after using his Make-A-Wish to help school

PRINCETON, Minn. (WCCO/CNN) - A 13-year-old Minnesota boy who received a heart transplant chose to give back to his high school with his request to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Like many teens his age, 13-year-old Carter Julson loves basketball, baseball and football, but in 2019, his parents noticed he wasn’t able to keep up with his friends in sports.

“We just sensed something wasn’t right. He wasn’t able to, all of a sudden, keep up with his teammates or his peers,” said Carter’s dad, Brian Julson.

Carter was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a condition that affects the heart muscle. Two years ago, his life changed when he received a heart transplant.

“I’m so thankful that I can do my sports and keep up with my friends,” Carter said.

The grateful teen is now giving back through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Instead of going on a trip or asking for something for himself, he used his wish to re-do the weight room at Princeton High School. He got to design the floor and the types of weights in the room, and he chose to add a mural of a tiger — the school mascot — to the wall to symbolize strength.

The Minnesota Vikings got word of Carter’s strength and generosity. The team invited him to practice and surprised him with two tickets to the Super Bowl.

“I was just mouth wide open. I couldn’t believe what was happening. It was so surprising, and I’m so thankful,” Carter said.

Super Bowl LVIII will take place Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

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