John Cena has reflected on the responsibility that comes with granting Make-A-Wish requests, saying anyone who takes part must be prepared to “be the hope” for the children and families they meet.
The WWE star, who holds the Guinness World Record for the most wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, discussed the emotional side of the programme during an appearance on Netflix’s The Pete Davidson Show.
John Cena explained that fulfilling wishes requires putting personal concerns aside to ensure every child has the experience they hoped for.
“When you agree to something like that, you have to understand what you’re agreeing to, right? When you agree to do that, you are signing up to be hope. Be the hope. Whatever hill you’re climbing, whatever discomfort you may have, you have to check at the threshold. You have to. If not, turn around. I think Make-A-Wish is a beautiful thing. I also don’t think it’s for everybody because it is very sensitive and it is very emotional.”
John Cena Believes It Takes Real Courage To Fulfil A Make-A-Wish Request
John Cena added that while many WWE Superstars embrace the opportunity to grant wishes, he believes it takes a special mindset to do so.
“We have a lot of superstars who are built to be the hope and we have some that can’t muster up the courage, the one thing I don’t ever want to do is for some kid to say, ‘You know, the one thing I really want to do is kick it with John Cena,’ and me go in there and not be the hope.”
Cena has granted more Make-A-Wish requests than anyone in the organisation’s history, a commitment that has become one of the defining aspects of his career outside the ring alongside his accomplishments in WWE.
