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Ever since Lukas was a small boy living just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he has been a huge fan of the Pittsburg Steelers. Lukas is now 10 years old and is battling chronic granulomatous disease, a genetic immunodeficiency disorder where his white blood cells lose the ability to fight certain types of bacteria. He is scheduled for a bone marrow transplant in March. Lukas’ dream was to attend the Chiefs vs. Steelers game on November 22, 2009, and to meet “Big Ben” Roethlesberger, the Pittsburgh quarterback. The day of the big game also happened to be Lukas’ 10th birthday!

The evening before the Chiefs vs. Steeler’s game, Lukas, his family, and his best friend, Hunter, arrived to spend the night at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. In celebration of Lukas’ birthday, dream manager Steve Hardin had arranged for pizza and cake to be delivered to the room. Later in the evening, Lukas was presented with not only an authentic autographed NHL Hines Ward jersey, but also a junior-sized Ben Roethlesberger jersey for him to wear and have autographed. A member of the Steeler’s organization also presented Lukas with a football for him to have signed. The family was then taken by the Steeler’s director of security to a secluded area where Lukas was able to meet and talk with Ben, and have him sign autographs. He got to try on Roethlesberger’s Super Bowl ring, and even had his picture taken wearing it!

The next day at the game, Lukas and his family enjoyed watching the game from the Sprint Suite. The only disappointment of the day for Lukas came when “Big Ben” was knocked out of the game with a concussion. The Chiefs went on to win the game.

The Dream Factory of Greater Kansas City would like to thank dream manager Steve Hardin, volunteer Andy Mullins, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Sprint Corporation, Kim’s Custom Cakes, sports agent Ryan Tollner, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Ben Roethlesberger for all of their generosity and kindness in helping make Lukas’ dream come true.