Waukee CSD 4th Grader Gets Wish Granted to see Brock Purdy

Oct. 24 is a day Waukee CSD 4th grader Major Strube will never forget. It’s when he found out about a wish come true — a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see his hero, Brock Purdy.

Meet Major

The Sugar Creek Elementary student loves everything about football. He plays flag football and has grown up close to the Warriors football team where his dad, Drew Strube, is an assistant coach. Major is even a regular on the sidelines at practice and games serving as one of the team’s water boys.

However, Major’s journey hasn’t been easy. He was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that impacts the lungs and digestive system. While he still has regular doctor appointments, Major’s condition has vastly improved thanks to what his mom calls a “miracle pill,” that Major takes every 12 hours.

“Trikafta treats the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis at the cellular level. It completely halts disease progression, so Major is fortunate to have no symptoms of CF. He has a full, active life now and ahead of him! Trikafta has truly been a game changer for the disease, taking life expectancy from 40 to 80 or more for kids like Major who started it at a young age,” Jaci Strube says.

The Wish Reveal

Because of Major’s chronic condition, he was nominated to Make-A-Wish Iowa by his doctors at Blank Children’s Hospital last summer. A couple of weeks ago, Major’s parents learned that his wish — to attend a San Francisco 49ers game and watch quarterback Brock Purdy play — had been granted.

When Drew and Jaci talked about how to share the exciting news with Major, it seemed right to involve the Warriors football team.

“I just asked the football players if they would do something to be part of making the announcement, and they ran with it,” Drew says.

At the end of their last regular season practice, the players called Major to their team huddle and directed him to watch the video board. A message from the team played announcing that Make-A-Wish Iowa is sending Major and his family to California in early December. Drew then presented Major with a Brock Purdy jersey and the team hoisted him up while chanting his name, turning him around to see a huge banner from Make-A-Wish.

A Wish Come True

After the celebration on the field, Major and his dad gave media interviews. Representatives from Make-A-Wish were there to congratulate him, in addition to supporters including his teachers, Principal Liz Griesel, and other family and friends.

“I’m just proud of everything that Major does and he does it like a champ,” Drew says. “He doesn’t complain about anything — just takes it all in stride. It’s the life he lives. He knows it doesn’t define him.”

Major is one of 150 nominees to have a wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Iowa this year.

“I’m going to meet pretty much all the 49ers! I’m so excited!” Major says.