3-Year-Old Kicks Off Wish To Become Soccer Player After Beating Cancer
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Three-year-old Makinley Edwards kicked off her wish to become a soccer superstar - full of life after surviving a potentially deadly disease - cancer.
She scored a goal with the help of Miami FC players who Tuesday morning coached and kicked the ball with the little girl.
"It is something special. We do our part on the field but it is very important as a team. As an organization, we do stuff for the community and meeting an angel like McKinley is very rewarding for us too," said Miami FC Player Gabriel Farfan.
When McKinley was two months old, she was diagnosed with a form of liver cancer and at eight months received a liver transplant.
"It was devastating. You're enjoying your brand-new baby and now you have to start chemo at two months old," said Makinley's mom, Nicole.
Fortunately, Makinley responded very well and is now healthy and in love with soccer.
"Are you happy to be here," CBS4's Marybel Rodriguez asked Makinley.
"Yes," she responded.
"Do you love to play soccer," asked Rodriguez.
"Yeah," she responded.
Rodriguez then asked,"Tell me what you love to do with the ball?"
"Kick it," Makinley responded.
It was a spectacular day for the tiny soccer star who was surprised in more ways than one.
Makinley got her own customized jersey. It was a dream come true not only for Makinley but also for her parents seeing their little girl full of life.
"It's exciting to see her be normal and all this excitement in her," said Nicole.
On Friday, Miami FC will play against Puerto Rico at Florida International University and Makinley will be doing the coin toss. She will also be part of the pregame festivities.
