Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — After turning down his prom invitation, Taylor Swift gave a teen an offer he couldn't refuse: an invitation to be her date to the Academy of Country Music Awards April 1.
Eighteen-year-old Kevin McGuire, a senior at Sterling High School in Somerdale, New Jersey, invited Swift on Facebook to his high school prom after fearing he would not be able to get a date due to his loss of hair caused by cancer treatments.
McGuire is battling Leukemia for the second time, after beating the disease for the first time in 2010. The football and basketball player has earned the nickname "real-life Superman" among his friends and five years after first being diagnosed with the deadly disease, he hopes to beat it again.
Determined to make the most of his life, McGuire shot for the stars with his prom invitation, setting up a Facebook page dedicated to the cause. "Taylor Swift take Kevin McGuire to prom!" quickly gained the support of thousands, eventually growing to more than 100,000 supporters.
Throughout his ups and downs Kevin never even questioned ‘why me?'
–Victoria McGuire
"Throughout his ups and downs Kevin never even questioned ‘why me?'" Victoria wrote on his wall. "Nothing, and I mean NOTHING brightens Kevin's day more than Taylor Swift. Kevin DESERVES more than anyone a special event in his life."
The page caught the attention of Swift, who responded Friday with an invitation of her own: "Kevin, I'm so sorry but I won't be able to make it to your prom," she wrote on Facebook. "But I was wondering, the ACM Awards are coming up.. Would you be my date? Love, Taylor."
A response on Twitter from Carol O'Brian, a friend of the McGuire family, said Kevin is planning on accepting Swifts invitation, assuming he is healthy enough to leave the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia by April 1.
"I have cancer. Cancer doesn't have me." McGuire told CBS Philly. "Taylor, I would love to go with you."
