Lots of guys want to go on a date with Taylor Swift. So, what makes 18-year-old Kevin McGuire from Somerdale, New Jersey any different from the pack of Swift's would-be suitors?
Well, there are a few things, which I'll go over in a minute. But, suffice to say, McGuire, who recently asked Swift via Facebook to be his prom date in June, stands out for the response he got. Swift declined the offer...but asked him to accompany her to a prestigious awards show in April, instead!
Taylor Swift
How did this all happen? The backstory: McGuire has had a painful struggle with leukemia since he was 13 years old. He went into remission in 2010, but sadly relapsed and is currently battling cancer for a second time.
His older sister, Victoria, impressed with her brother's bravery and character, started a Facebook campaign with the hope of granting his greatest wish--convincing Swift to attend prom with him.
"All throughout Kevin's treatment he kept his character intact, remained playing basketball, and even started varsity football as a freshman," Victoria McGuire explained on Facebook. "Kevin is the kindest, most noble 18-year-old a person could even fathom meeting, and through out his ups and downs Kevin never even questioned 'why me?'
"Nothing, and I mean NOTHING brightens Kevin's day more than Taylor Swift," she continued. "Kevin DESERVES more than anyone a special event in his life."
Kevin McGuire's photo on the Facebook campaign
Victoria's idea caught the attention of local news, who interviewed her about it. "[Kevin] said 'who would want to go to the prom with me? I am going to be bald, my appearance is going to change,'" she told an NBC affiliate. "We both looked at each other and I said, 'What if I got Taylor Swift to go to the prom with you?'"
After the campaign attracted responses from nearly 90,000 people, Swift herself responded to McGuire's sister's plea on her own Facebook account Friday afternoon. She politely declined his offer to go to prom, but asked, "I was wondering, the ACM Awards are coming up.. Would you be my date?"
The startled teenager told local news after reading the post in a bed at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia that he didn't know what to say. "I was just trying not to throw up." (He recovered enough composure to accept the invitation, provided he's feeling well enough when the date arrives.)
The Academy of Country Music Awards will take place April 1 in Las Vegas. Kevin, you're not old enough to gamble yet, but you're already a big winner.
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No word yet on whether Taylor will attend.
Friday, Feb 24, 2012 | Updated 3:29 PM EST
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Actress/singer Taylor Swift arrives at the 'Dr. Suess' The Lorax' Los Angeles premiere at Universal Studios Hollywood on February 19, 2012 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
A South New Jersey teen battling Leukemia hopes to make a dream come true by securing country music star Taylor Swift as his date to his upcoming prom.
Kevin McGuire, a senior at Sterling High School in Somerdale, N.J., asked the mega superstar through his Facebook campaign to his prom on June 1, which happens to be the same day as his birthday. More than 57,500 people have subscribed to his page. Hundreds have left messages of support.
His sister, Victoria, who set up the page, hopes Swift sees it and accepts the invitation.
"He said 'who would want to go to the prom with me? I am going to be bald, my appearance is going to change,'" Victoria told NBC 10. "We both looked at each other and I said, 'What if I got Taylor Swift to go to the prom with you?'