Local boy with cancer turns into a superhero for a day

Seattle Times ^ | April 30, 2010 | Katherine Long

[NYer]

Thursday was shaping up to be just another school day for 13-year-old Erik Martin, but then something extraordinary happened: Spider-Man called.

Spider-Man happens to be one of the few people who knows that Erik, too, has a secret identity — he's Electron Boy, a superhero who fights the powers of evil with light.

And Spider-Man needed Erik's help.

Erik, who is living with liver cancer, has always wanted to be a superhero. On Thursday, the regional chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted him that wish with an elaborate event that involved hundreds of volunteers in Bellevue and Seattle.

The local chapter, which serves four states, grants more than 300 wishes every year to children with life-threatening medical conditions, but only a few of them involve so many participants.

Pulling off a wish like this one required a big story, and a lot of heart. And so, with a note of panic in his voice, Spider-Man explained the dilemma: "Dr. Dark" and "Blackout Boy" had imprisoned the Seattle Sounders in a locker room at Qwest Field. Only Electron Boy could free them.

Erik got into his red-and-blue superhero costume, and called on the powers of Moonshine Maid, who owns a DeLorean sports car. For good measure, more than 20 motorcycle officers from the Bellevue Police Department and King County and Snohomish sheriff's offices escorted Electron Boy to Seattle.

"They shut down 405 — they shut down I-90," marveled Moonshine Maid, aka Misty Peterson. "I thought it would just be me, in the car."

At Qwest Field, Electron Boy was directed by frantic fans to the Sounders locker room, where the entire team was shouting for help behind jammed doors. With help from Lightning Lad, the alter ego of local actor Rob Burgess, Erik opened the door with his lightning rod.

[Obadiah]

I was just trying to give you a beat-down because I'm a huge soccer fan. *grins* The Sounders are a new franchise in MLS and they are actually a good team. No worries.

[Jack Hammer]

For anyone wanting a non-controversial charity to which to contribute, the Make-a-Wish Foundation is one of the best. Unlike some, it really IS for the kids, and highly recommended.

[NYer]

For anyone wanting a non-controversial charity to which to contribute, the Make-a-Wish Foundation is one of the best. Unlike some, it really IS for the kids, and highly recommended.

Pinging Ann :-)

[Ann Archy]

THANKS!!