N.S. teen’s Make-A-Wish trip leads to surprise backstage moment with Jelly Roll

Thanks to Make-A-Wish, Zachary McIlveen's dream to see Jelly Roll came true, and then some!

An 18-year-old from Lower Sackville, N.S., had a once-in-a-lifetime experience during a Make-A-Wish trip to see his favourite artist Jelly Roll.

Zachary McIlveen, who lives with a heart condition, cerebral palsy, and an intellectual disability, was granted the wish through Make-A-Wish Canada. The organization sent him and his family to Ottawa to attend Jelly Roll’s concert.

“We were just so grateful to even get the chance to go to the concert,” said Lisa Romano, Zachary’s mother. “And then everything else kind of happened by chance.”

That “chance” came during breakfast on the morning of the show. Zachary’s dad Peter and step-mom Ali were chatting with him about the concert when someone nearby overheard the conversation.

That person turned out to be Jelly Roll’s bus driver.

“He went to their waitress and asked for their contact information,” said Romano. “And then he got the ball rolling.”

That afternoon, the family received word they’d been added to the list for backstage access. Zachary, his mom, her partner, his dad and stepmom were brought behind the scenes, where they met country singer Josh Ross and then Jelly Roll himself.

“As soon as Jelly Roll walked in, Zach ran up to him,” Romano said. “They hugged and Jelly Roll said, ‘You’re strong, buddy. You’re strong.’ It was just amazing.”

Zachary, who has been a fan of Jelly Roll for years, says his favourite song is “Save Me.” That made what happened next even more special.

During the concert, Jelly Roll gave Zachary multiple shoutouts. But before the final song, he dedicated “Save Me” to him.

“The whole crowd started chanting ‘Zachary! Zachary!’” said Romano. “We were all in tears. It was beyond anything we ever expected.”

What began as a simple wish quickly became a memory the family says they’ll carry forever.

“The way all the stars aligned… I can’t even put it into words,” said Romano. “It was a dream come true for each and every one of us.”

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