Kirk Franklin Honors Social Media Wish of Cancer Stricken Teen
When people on social media requested that Kirk Franklin meet a teenage boy stricken with cancer to make his wish come true, the gospel music star obliged.
A message made its rounds on social media when Letrice Felton sent a tweet into the twitterverse about her 17-year-old son, Richie Artis,' battle with cancer. According to the Daily Advance, Richie requested to meet Franklin through the Virginia-based Toby's Dream Foundation that grants wishes to children with terminal illnesses.
However, it was a social media message written by family member Tyrek Slaughter that initially caught Franklin's attention.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"My nephew, Richie, is battling cancer for the second time. He wants to meet Fetty Wap and Kirk Franklin. Take 10 seconds to share this, send it to them, and spread the word. It would mean the world to him."
The Elizabeth City, North Carolina, teen has been hospitalized at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters over the last month was able to meet Franklin who was amazed at how he learned about Richie.
"Amazing how God can even use social media to make something beautiful happen," Franklin captioned a photograph of he and Richie on Twitter.
Franklin's stepfather, Raymond Felton, spoke about how grateful the family is for Franklin and his kindness.
"It was wonderful that Kirk Franklin took time out for somebody he didn't even know. That is the part that got me," Felton said of Franklin. "He was just as nice as he could be."
This is not the first time Franklin has encouraged someone who is dealing with health issues. Last month, the 46-year-old composer, gospel singer and record label head prayed for fellow artist Josiah Martin during his battle with kidney disease.
During his "Twenty Years in One Night" tour, Franklin tapped singers in the audience to help him with the song "Intercession" from his Losing My Religion album. On June 5, one of those singers was 31-year-old gospel singer Josiah Martin who emotionally began to share his testimony and battle with kidney disease during the concert.
After the concert ended Franklin took to Facebook to reveal his emotional response to Martin's testimony.
"Tonight while I was performing a song called 'INTERCESSION' I passed him the mic in the audience and that's when the air was sucked out of the room and the entrance of God's presence was the only thing we remembered. As he sang about the fatigue of dialysis and the discouragement of waiting for a match, I wanted to pray for him, but was terrified to," Franklin admitted before sharing his prayer. "My King, I ask of you to do what no one else can do ... a miracle for our brother. Amen," Franklin wrote in a prayer. "I'll never forget tonight. Thank you JO JO. #wewontstopaskingthefatherforyou."
