BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) – The Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium was filled with football fans on Saturday. But seven-year-old Myles Hupp had a fan club of his own.
In May 2023, a house explosion in Pierre left the Hupp family heartbroken. They lost both of Trevor’s parents and their six-month-old daughter. Trevor and Kelsey Hupp’s two sons were also severely burned and flown to the hospital.
During a follow-up appointment later that year in October, doctors told the parents their son Myles, had a brain tumor.
“Myles was diagnosed with a grade four medulloblastoma, which is a brain cancer. We had surgery in October. We spent six weeks in Rochester doing radiation and now we are going through chemo at the castle in Sioux Falls,” Myles’ mom Kelsey Hupp said.
“It was very tough news and a very, very tough thing to deal with,” Myles’ dad Trevor Hupp said.
Myles has five treatments left. Through it all, he’s never complained and he still enjoys all of his favorites including the SDSU Jackrabbits, Ninja Turtles, Super Mario and Transformers.
To many, he’s ‘Myles strong’ and ‘Mighty Myles.’
The young SDSU fan got to see more than just his favorite team play on Saturday night. He also got to see his dream become a reality.
“His wish to meet the Transformers at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, is coming true. This is a surprise for Myles. He is going to just learn for the first time that this will happen for him and that he and his family will all get to enjoy some time away together to reconnect as a family,” CEO of Make-A-Wish for South Dakota & Montana Sue Salter said.
“You always hear about childhood cancer and you don’t think it’s going to be you,” Kelsey said. “We’re trying to spread light and help others and make sure that it’s more well known that it’s out there and it affects the people you love.”
As many seats were filled at the stadium that night, so were many hearts.
“Myles is kind of a local superhero,” Trevor said.
Myles received his very own SDSU helmet and got to take part in the coin flip before the start of the game.
He said he is looking forward to “everything” on his upcoming trip.
