Luke Combs Makes Dreams Come True For Young Fan Battling Cancer, Surprises with ‘Trip of a Lifetime’
Luke Combs fulfilled the wish of Addison (Addi), a 17-year-old bravely battling terminal cancer, on Saturday evening (July 23) when…
Luke Combs with Addi; Photo by David Bergman, www.DavidBergman.net
Luke Combs fulfilled the wish of Addison (Addi), a 17-year-old bravely battling terminal cancer, on Saturday evening (July 23) when he flew Addi and her entire family out to his show in Buckeye Country Superfest in Columbus, Ohio and brought her on stage for the ultimate concert experience.
The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year covered the family’s travel expenses from California, where she is being treated for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at City of Hope. Upon arrival in Ohio, the family was greeted by a driver and enjoyed the “trip of a lifetime,” including an exclusive, backstage experience with the country superstar ahead of the concert.
According to a Facebook post shared by the 17-year-old’s mom, Staci, Addi and her family had “no idea” what to expect at the concert. Ahead of the show, they were surprised to learn that they had a chance to meet Combs himself backstage.
“He chatted with Addi and hung on her every word, talked about his beautiful wife, their brand new baby, his friend who had cancer twice, once in the third grade and then again last year. How they all shaved their heads to stand with him and Addi talked about how all of her brothers, bf and friend’s did too on the same day she lost her hair,” Staci shared. “He gave so much love as we listened and cried with their stories they were exchanging. This moment made time stand still. She was genuinely happy and so blown away by his kindness, honestly we all were.”
The surprises didn’t stop there. According to a member of Combs’ team, the backstage experience also included a personal tour of the venue from Combs, the opportunity to watch the opening acts from side stage with the country superstar at her side, and more.
“After this he had arranged for us to be in a beautiful suite full of food, snacks, desserts and drinks to watch the performers,” she recalled. “At 10:30 pm we were asked to meet his security detail so we could be taken back to the backstage area. When he asked Addi her favorite song he sung she said ‘Better Together’ that just happened to be his encore song.”
During the encore, Combs invited her out on the Ohio Stadium stage to sit beside him on a stool as he performed her favorite song from his catalog. He even had the sold-out crowd of over 60,000 fans serenade her with the final chorus of the tune.
“This is my friend Addi that I met today and Addi’s going through some health things at the moment and I came across her on social media,” Combs explained on stage. ”I had been tagged in a few things and her biggest wish was to come out and see a show. So, we flew Addi and her family out from California to be with us in Columbus tonight and I want to give her the experience of what it really feels like to be up here in front of 60,000 people tonight.”
Combs continued, ”Addi’s favorite song is ‘Better Together,’ so I can only ask you one favor. One, that you sing along so we can hear you and two I want every single person in here to get their phone light out so we can see. I want her to see that tonight. So, Addi this one goes out to you, your favorite song, one of my favorite songs.”
As the crowd finished out the song, Combs wrapped his arm around Addi as they walked off the stage together.
Addi’s mom was completely moved by the emotional moment. “It was so beautiful, we all watched while the tears streamed down our cheeks,” she said.
The moment was a welcome distraction for the family.
“Tonight the world was right and there was no talk of Addi’s cancer, no talk of dying and no talk of not making it to her 18th birthday. Her smile says it all! Tonight was perfect,” she continued. “God was here with us, we felt him! In the laughter, the warm air, the smiles and the soft hugs we were given all night long. Thank you Luke Combs and team for giving our girl the most perfect night.”
She later reflected on the powerful moment alongside a photo of Addi on stage with the country superstar.
“They say a picture is worth a thousand words, crazy enough I can’t find any that would tell you how this moment made us feel! Luke Combs you are a class act and have a heart of Gold that is seen in everyone who works with you and has the true honor to meet you 
”
After sharing the stage with Combs, Addi told her mom that the moment “shook me to the core.”
The 17-year-old also told Music Mayhem about the experience.
“It was incredible, I imagined all of those people that were singing to me could be the next person to save someone’s life like mine,” Addi shared. ”Luke is the nicest guy I have ever met and I can’t wait to hang out again soon.”
Addi is raising funds via GoFundMe to complete her bucket list of adventures and pay for treatment/medicines. To donate click HERE.
Luke Combs’ recently dropped his new album, Growin’ Up, which debuted at No. 1 upon its release. The 12-track project features the chart-topping hit, “Doin’ This,” Combs’ current single, “The Kind Of Love We Make,” and “Outrunnin’ Your Memory,” a duet with Miranda Lambert, among several tracks.
The country hitmaker will hit the road this fall on his headlining Middle Of Somewhere Tour with direct support from Jordan Davis. The trek, which kicks off on September 2 in Bangor, ME, will also feature special guests Morgan Wade and Lainey Wilson on select dates.
In November 2022, Combs will launch his Canadian tour with special guests Riley Green and Chayce Beckham.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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