Ravens to grant wish at draft

when T.J. was feeling up to it. T.J. and his family went to the Aquarium, the Maryland Zoo and other local attractions, but any time the nonprofit organization had access to anything Ravensrelated, they would get him involved.

That included going to a game, experiencing a special football camp with wide receiver Steve Smith (now retired), attending Ravens training camp with a special player and coach meet-and-greet, and attending former Ravens receiver Torrey Smith’s annual basketball game for charity.

For T.J., it was all the time.

“For a long time, all I could think about was football, the color purple and the Ravens,” he says. “But that all changed with the diagnosis of cancer.”

Instead of focusing on football, he had to focus on doctor visits, treatments and medications.

“That was hard for me, all Ravens, but I found a way to get through it, just thinking it would be better,” he adds.

It has become better: T.J.’s cancer is now in remission. Casey Cares recently coordinated a pajama drive at his school called “PJ’s for T.J,” with a campus-wide collection, games and other activities in his honor. About 700 pairs were collected. Next, T.J. the avid Ravens fan gets to fulfill a dream.

“The Make-A-Wish Foundation always goes above and beyond to make these moments special, and we are so excited for T.J. and the Onwuanibe family,” says Heather Darney, director of community relations/ executive director of the Ravens Foundation. “The Ravens are thrilled that T.J.’s wish to announce our firstround draft pick on Thursday night has been granted. We are grateful to have passionate fans like T.J., and his involvement will make this year’s draft experience even more memorable.”