“Adventure List” Dream Comes True

A 7-year-old boy battling a life threatening disease lived out one of his dreams Thursday night in Salina, and marked another item off his “adventure list”. Carter Hampton got to meet, and hang out with, his favorite band “Newsboys”.

“Newsboys”, the fan favorite and best selling Christian pop rock band, rolled into the Salina Bicentennial Center with their “Love Riot Tour”. One of their biggest fans was there to see the show, and meet the guys.

Brave Young Hearts, a Colorado organization that helps grant adventures to children with terminal or life-threatening diseases, arranged the meeting. Carter, who lives in Denver, was born with a rare spinal condition called Caudal Regression Syndrome. His spine ends at partial lumbar 3, and there is no connection to his pelvic bones. This has caused many complications. He has had 31 surgeries.

Carter told KSAL News that he is the group’s biggest fan. He said that he has been waiting two years for this day.

 

 

Prior to the concert, Carter and his parents got to meet the guys from “Newsboys”. His personal meeting included autographs and photos with the band. As it turns out, the meeting meant as much to the band as it did to Carter. Lead singer Michael Tait told KSAL News he was truly humbled that meeting the group was on Carter’s “adventure list”.  He added with a laugh “and at 50-years-old I’m glad that he still considers me to be meet-able”.

 

 

As the meet and greet ended, the entire band gathered around Carter and prayed with him. Carter then stayed for a VIP question and answer session with other fans, before watching the concert with his parents from a luxury suite.

Carter was so excited for his big day that he arrived about an hour before his meet and greet was scheduled to begin. Bicentennial Center staff gave him a personal, behind the scenes tour of the facility. The staff was so moved by Carter’s story that they decided to do something a little extra special. Spectra Venue Management and the Bicentennial Center made a $250 donation to the Brave Young Hearts organization on behalf of “Newsboys”.

Now that he has marked off meeting “Newsboys” and watching them perform, what is next for Carter? He says that other things on his “adventure list” include touring the White House, and seeing the Grand Canyon. At the top of the list, though, is writing a book. “I want to write a book about how it is okay to be brave, and to be scared, at the same time,” he said.

 

“Newsboys” pray with Carter.

 

Spectra Venue Management and the Bicentennial Center made a $250 donation to the Brave Young Hearts organization on behalf of “Newsboys”.