The Force is with you, Daniel!
[dropcap size=small]D[/dropcap]aniel Fleetwood, who sadly passed away recently from an aggressive form of lung cancer – at the young age of just 32 – got his dying wish granted to see the new Star Wars film, Force Awakens, before its initial release this December.
Fleetwood’s wish spread like wild fire on the internet after an local news team covered his story on Click2Huston, with many taking to their keyboards to campaign to make his wish come to fruition. Before long, twitter was filling up with the hashtag #ForceForDaniel.
Like many fans of the franchise, Fleetwood had been a fan from an early age, and fell in love with George Lucas’ creation at the tender age of eight. After learning how much his cancer had progressed, Fleetwood was given only months to live, and knew he ‘wasn’t going to make it to see the new movie.’
Put simply, but effectively, Daniel expressed his deep adoration for Star Wars:
I just love Star Wars. With everything I’ve got, I love Star Wars.
Disney heard the pleas from fellow Star Wars fans from all over the world, whose hearts had been captured by Daniel’s simple wish, and they happily agreed to make it happen.
JJ Abrams even personally called the Fleetwood family to inform them that Daniel’s final wish was to be made into a reality, and Disney confirmed a private screening had been attended by the family on November 5th.
The twitter campaign caught the attention of Star Wars actors Mark Hamill and Peter Mayhew. Mayhew joined in on the campaign, whilst Hamill expressed his delight when learning that Fleetwood’s wish had been granted.
.@starwars @bad_robot #ForceAwakens #ForceForDaniel https://t.co/b6CbtIerYW
— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) November 3, 2015
I just read this and am elated for Daniel & his family! Thanks to the powers-that-be for making his dream come true. https://t.co/ImiAdyBxf8
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) November 5, 2015
It’s a sad but heartwarming story, and our thoughts are with the Fleetwood family at this difficult time. Kudos goes to Disney and JJ for making a Star Wars fan’s last wish come true, as well as to all the lovely folk out there that rallied behind the campaign.
The force was truly with him.
