Warriors’ Thompson fulfills fan’s dying wish
On Monday, Warriors’ shooting guard Thompson talked with fan diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Frank Somerville is used to sharing heart-wrenching stories as KTVU’s evening news anchor, but this one, which started with an innocent note, was especially emotional.
Last week, Somerville shared a message with his followers on social media from Randall Wright, whose wife, Deborah, a life-long Golden State Warriors fan, was diagnosed with cancer. According to her doctors, she has six weeks left to live. Her dying wish was to meet Klay Thompson.
“My Bride loves Klay Thompson of the Warriors,” Randall wrote to Somerville. “I was wondering if at all possible, if maybe he could FaceTime her (or Zoom or whatever). I ask for nothing else ... no gifts, money, or anything ... just for the possibility of a visit from Mr. Thompson.”
The post reached Thompson thanks to the Warriors public relations staff. Senior vice president of communications Raymond Ridder estimates that he received no fewer than 15 emails about Deborah’s request. Ridder called Thompson, who has spent the last year diligently rehabbing from a torn ACL in his left knee.
“Klay usually doesn’t reply quickly to things,” Ridder said. “He responded within five minutes.”
On Monday morning, Thompson video-called the Wrights and talked to Deb
orah for 25 minutes about her family, pets and love for the Warriors, which started by watching games with her aunt in the 1970s. Deborah, who has fond memories of watching Al Attles, Rick Barry and Ja
maal Wilkes lead the Warriors to an NBA championship in 1975, was even introduced to Thompson’s dog, Rocco.
“Klay is really a kind and gentle soul,” Randall wrote to Somerville after the call.