A longtime Chiefs fan battling terminal liver cancer experienced a "bucket list" dream on Thursday night: going to Arrowhead Stadium to cheer on his favorite team against their rivals.
Doctors recently told Jerry McGuirk, who has cheered for the Chiefs for over 50 years, that he has four to six weeks to live as a result of his terminal disease.
On Thursday night, McGuirk was able to attend the nationally televised game after fellow Chiefs Kingdom members donated tickets for him to go.
"It's an overwhelming feeling," he explained. "I've never been to a football game ever in my whole life."
From the moment his van pulled up to Arrowhead Stadium, McGuirk said he felt amazed by the experience.
"It's awesome," he said, while staring out at the bright lights of Arrowhead from the parking lot.
The experience for McGuirk on Thursday night all came to be after a hospice aide posted a message on Facebook asking for ticket donations.
Within a day, multiple people stepped forward to help out.
"It wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the community and all the donations," said hospice aide Bellamy Frazier. "It's amazing."
With the below-freezing temperatures outside, fellow Chiefs fans also donated a team blanket and hooded sweatshirt for McGuirk to stay warm.
"The sweater, the blanket, thermal underwear. We have everything we need," explained Frazier.
As McGuirk continues to fight his terminal illness, he can check at least one item off his "bucket list:" seeing the Chiefs play at Arrowhead Stadium.
"It was overwhelming," said Frazier. "We had a lot of people that wanted to help."
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
