John Cena

http://kidswishnetwork.org/ (Kids Wish Network)

"As a kid, what brought me in the gym, what got me in there every day was a chance to break your personal best, a chance to be strong; I just really, really dig that." John Cena is a wrestler for WWE, a rapper, and an actor, but what he isn't well known for is his being a patron for charities. He is a hero because he uses his celebrity status, time, and money to help charities such as Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Organization.

John's youngest brother, Sean, was diagnosed with cancer, which had a big impact in John's life. Cena even states, "I was emotionally overwhelmed with excitement as my brother's treatment went on. I wanted to take my status and what I could offer to send my message out" (HuffingtonPost.com 2013) John is a sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Organization because he wants to raise cancer awareness. John Cena's childhood bullying led to his three key methods of success, Attitude, Passion, and Performance.

John Cena is my hero because he is compassionate and persistent. He shows compassion by working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps kids with life-threatening medical conditions "Make a Wish" and help make it come true. Considering the fact that he has to work over 300 days in a year for the WWE, he still meets 2-3 kids a week. He has given the most donations, over 400, which means giving up a lot of time and money (MakeAWishFoundation.com). Also, he is persistent because he started in the WWE over 14 years ago, and at the beginning of his career, he wasn't always winning like he is now. It is not an easy task getting into the WWE let alone becoming the record breaking 5 year defending National Champion (WWE.com). Additionally, he is persistent because out of all the times that he had lost, he kept going until he won all of the championship titles of WWE. He is now the face, worldwide, of WWE.

John Cena has had an impact on the children that he met throughout the Make-A-Wish Foundation giving them a moment of happiness while going through their obstacles in life. Also, working with the Susan G. Komen Organization has helped raise awareness of the disease and raising money to find a future cure. He has even had an impact on the kids who watch his wrestling matches. " I was very unique as a child, dressed a certain way, acted a certain way, didn't fit in with everybody. So I immediately got picked on, especially around the age of 12 and 13, when you start going to junior high and start mingling with the older kids" (Men's Fitness 2009). Cena being involved with charities and being a positive role model will have a positive influence in people who follow him.

In conclusion, he is my hero because he is a contributor to two companies that help people that have sicknesses that are lethal. He also won all of the WWE awards, and helped kids with serious medical conditions to achieve their dreams. He is my hero and many other people's hero.