Eminem grants dying teen's wish, stops for a visit

Brian McCollum | Detroit Free Press | Freep.com

Given about a week to live, a Rochester Hills, Michigan teen had a final big wish: to meet his musical hero, Eminem.

The Detroit rapper stepped up to the plate Sunday evening for ailing Gage Garmo, surprising the 17-year-old in his family's living room and hanging out to talk hip-hop and football.

"Gage sat up with a grin on his face," said Rainbow Connection's Ingrid Todt, on hand as Eminem arrived at the Garmo home. "His family hadn't seen their son do that in such a long time."

Garmo was diagnosed with bone cancer three years ago as a freshman at Rochester High School, and had undergone a series of treatments and surgeries before an abrupt downturn last week left him with just days to live. He died early Monday evening.

As Garmo's condition had worsened, his friends and classmates urgently spread the word on social media. Area news outlets picked up on the story.



The visit was ultimately arranged by Rainbow Connection, which works to grant wishes to Michigan children with life-threatening illnesses. Gage was already on the group's radar, but word of his sudden downturn spurred a 48-hour scramble to contact the rapper's team and hammer out details.

"We're so glad we were able to reach Eminem's people and they were able to respond, and Eminem was able on such short notice to go and see this boy in his own home," said executive director Mary Grace McCarter. "It says something about everybody, really. I hope all the students and friends of Gage feel good about their well-wishes too."

In a series of tweets Monday, rapper and Shady Records label mate Royce da 5'9'' indicated that he was on hand for Sunday's visit, and was "on the verge of dropping a (t)ear or two."

Looking on were Gage's mom, dad and younger sister in a moment that was "very special and very quiet at the same time," said Todt, Rainbow Connection's wish director.

"It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen," she said. "The stars aligned, and Gage's wish came true."

For more information about Rainbow Connection:www.rainbowconnection.org.

Contact Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.