With more than 1.6 million followers, Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul is one of the most popular athletes on Twitter. And the 27-year-old Paul regularly interacts with his fans, proving himself not only well-liked but incredibly savvy as well.
This week Paul showed just how in tune he is, when he noticed a hashtag that was trending among students at his high school in Clemmons, North Carolina. This hashtag was "#PrayForRyan," and it was a movement started by students at West Forsyth High School in support of a sophomore who was diagnosed with a rare type of terminal cancer.
The young boy, Ryan Wood, was told by doctors last week that he only had three or four weeks to live. Upon hearing the grim diagnosis, Paul knew he had to act quickly.
Football player at my highschool Ryan Wood has a rare form of Cancer and has been given a couple weeks to live #WestForsyth #PrayforRyan plz
— Chris Paul (@CP3) January 6, 2013
Wood and his family were involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with their hope being a trip to Key West, Florida. When he found out about this wish, Paul "adopted" the Wood family and through his foundation he will cover the cost for the vacation.
"I've never had the opportunity to meet Ryan, but we have a connection," Paul told WFMY 2 News. "We have a bond in that we're both Titans. We both went to West Forsyth, and he's like my family."
(H/T to Cosby Sweaters)
