HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Through a series of coincidences, a social media campaign and several good Samaritans, local 12-year old Zachary Boyd was able to meet his favorite comedian, Jeff Dunham, in Nashville. In what his Nana describes as a “God wink,” Zachary’s family was able to fulfil one of his dreams while he battles bone cancer.
“The minute he was born, he became my reason for being,” said Debra Sheffield, Zachary’s Nana. “He is my sunshine, and I am his moonbeam.”
Zachary was diagnosed with bone cancer in March 2022. Since then, he has spent over 110 nights in the hospital, undergone six surgeries, tried 11 chemo drugs, and gone through two rounds of chemotherapy, according to Sheffield. His mom, stepdad and other family members have been by his side through it all. Doctors have told them Zachary’s condition is terminal, but Sheffield said he has always remained empathetic and takes every opportunity to spread joy.
Road to Bridgestone Arena
Before his illness accelerated, his Nana would take him along to make Door Dash deliveries. Sheffield told Christian County Now that Zachary enjoys decorating the orders with stickers and positive notes, a tradition she keeps going even though he no longer can ride along with her, and which eventually led him to Jeff Dunham.
After starting a social media campaign on Facebook to try to get Zachary to the Bridgestone Arena to see Jeff Dunham perform, Zachary had accepted he might not be able to go. Things changed after his Nana made a food delivery to Kayla Gellinger, who works for Legacy Metals in Hopkinsville. Gellinger saw the notes on her order and recognized Zachary’s name. She looked him up on Facebook and saw their posts about going to Nashville, and that set the wheels in motion.
Gellinger reached out to Bridgestone to try to arrange tickets for Zach and his family, but that was unsuccessful. Legacy Metals was able to contact retired Predators player Mike Fisher, and the company reached out to see if he could help. Fisher graciously offered up his suite at the Bridgestone, which could accommodate Zach on his stretcher, and his family.
To take it one step further, Fisher was able to arrange Zach’s meeting with Dunham, a meeting that Sheffield said put him in complete disbelief. Photos show Zach showing off his impression to Dunham, who was happy to meet him. The night went smoothly, although Sheffield did say he needed medicine for his pain twice that day. Hopkinsville EMS provided the transportation and stretcher for Zach all night, and his family received a special Starbucks delivery on the drive over there.
“We are thrilled we were able to help coordinate getting Zach to see Jeff Dunham. However, we simply facilitated the arrangement,” said Gellinger. “We have to direct credit to our friends, Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood for donating their suite for him and his family and arranging the private meet and greet after the show. We also would like to thank the Hopkinsville Fire/EMS for arranging the ambulance and medical team for transport to and from Bridgestone Arena and staying with Zach for the duration of the night. We could not have pulled this off without them.”
“It all started with a food delivery,” said Sheffield, still overwhelmed by experience. “He looked at me that night and said, Nana, this was the perfect day.'”
Follow Zach’s journey and find out how to support his family at #ZacharyStrong on Facebook.
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