Trumbull native Cory Metz has been named the Chelsea Cohen Courage Award recipient. Metz has gone from being a Make-A-Wish grantee to Make-A-Wish volunteer. The Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame & Youth Foundation made a $1,500 donation to Make-A-Wish Connecticut in Metz’s name.
The 32-year-old Metz wrote a book in 2022 titled “More than a Wish: My Life and Stories from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.” The book shares his health journey, and the immense impact Make-A-Wish has had on his life both as a teen and an adult. All sales go to the non-profit.
Cory had his wish granted in 2009 with a trip to the MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis, where he got to meet his favorite player, Mets’ star David Wright. He’s now been a volunteer with Make-A-Wish, helping grant wishes for the past nine years.
Metz’s life changed in an instant as an eighth grader in 2004. Doctors discovered a tumor on his spinal cord and needed surgery to remove the tumor. The surgery initially left him paralyzed. Over time he gained movement in his legs but was still physically disabled.
Before surgery, he had been perfectly healthy, playing baseball and basketball. Four years later, during his senior year at Fairfield Prep, a brain tumor put him on life support. He’s had two surgeries since. He still has brain and spinal cord tumors. Every six months he goes for MRIs to monitor them.
Now with his book, his story has become an inspiration to many and a way to continue to give back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.