3 Cheers for the Pittsburgh Penguins

Move over Sid "The Kid" Crosby... The Penguins have another kid on the team. They signed 8 year old Jacob Anderson to a contract. Its true, Anderson is just 8 years old.

OK, so it's not what you think... Anderson will not be on the ice playing along side Crosby or Evgeni Malkin... But its still a good story... Anderson suffers from cystic fibrosis. (that's not the good part) It's a genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system in mostly children. Although there have been many advances in its treatment, there is is no cure for cystic fibrosis and its sufferers don't usually live past 30 years of age.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia has teamed up with the Penguins to make this youngster's dream come true. His dream was to become a Pittsburgh Penguin. So Tuesday, the Pens signed Anderson to a 1 day contract worth $1.
He had his own press conference,

his own uniform and equipment, his own locker, and even took part in the Penguins practice. Forward Matt Cooke carried him around the ice and they took shots at goalie Marc Andre Fleury.

That chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted 10 thousand wishes. That's the greatest number of wishes by any chapter worldwide and they are very proud. And they should be. The Penguins also deserve a round of applause for their part of this. This young man will remember this day for the rest of his life and he and his family have those 2 organizations to thank. Anderson's older sister Taia also has cystic fibrosis. Her dream was to go to Disney World. She might be re-thinking that trip after all of this.