Donovan's Dream

Meet Donovan

Meet Donovan, a kind and courageous 18-year-old with a heart full of strength and resilience. Before life took a turn, Donovan was a standout student, a student ambassador, and a star athlete with big dreams of going to college and joining the military.

Then, in an instant, everything changed. Donovan suffered a stroke caused by a cardiac myxoma and underwent open-heart surgery. Since then, he’s battled paralysis on his right side, blindness in one eye, seizures, and expressive aphasia—making it difficult to communicate. Day-to-day tasks take extra effort, but Donovan continues to show up with determination and a smile.

Even when he faces frustration or sadness, especially watching peers do things he once dreamed of—driving, working, going out with friends—Donovan finds joy in the little things: a good milkshake, superhero movies, and family time. He continues to work hard and push forward thanks in part to the love and support from those around him.

Donovan’s Dream is to experience the excitement of a Georgia Bulldogs football game—cheering from the stands, tossing a ball to a player, and sharing delicious food and ice cream with his family. It’s a chance for Donovan to feel the energy, celebration, and joy of doing something unforgettable together with the people he loves most.

Donovan was selected as the University of Georgia Collegiate Dream Team Dream Recipient because of his inspiring strength, positivity, and heart. Even after everything he’s faced, he continues to lift others up and meet each day with courage and compassion. Now, it’s time for the world to cheer for him!

Donovan's Dream

Donovan’s Dream kicked off with pure celebration. The morning started at his beloved high school, where classmates, teachers, cheerleaders, and the band gave him the most epic pep rally send-off. The love and excitement from his school community set the tone for the weekend.

From there, Donovan rolled up in a limo to the UGA Bookstore, where he picked out all the Dawgs gear he could ever need. Next stop: the legendary Sanford Stadium. Standing on the field of one of the most iconic venues in college football was a moment Donovan and his family will never forget.

The evening ended with a cozy pizza picnic back at the hotel, filled with laughter, Uno battles, and time to relax before game day.

Game day started bright and early with Chick-fil-A breakfast at the hotel before Donovan headed to campus for the ultimate Bulldogs experience. First up, he snapped pictures with the UGA cheerleaders and everyone’s favorite mascot, Hairy Dawg.

Then came one of the most iconic traditions in college football: the Dawg Walk. Donovan joined the crowd, cheering on the players before heading down to the field himself. Once there, the dream only got bigger—he met Coach Kirby Smart in person, high-fived the players as they entered, and stayed on the field during warmups and kickoff. He even go to play catch on field with UGA and NFL alum, Javon Wims.

In front of a roaring crowd, Donovan was honored with special on-field recognition, giving thousands of fans the chance to cheer for him the way he has always cheered for others. After soaking in the game-day atmosphere, Donovan and his family enjoyed some delicious food before wrapping up the night with dinner back at the hotel.

From limo rides and pep rallies to sideline passes and stadium cheers, Donovan’s dream weekend was filled with unforgettable moments of joy, celebration, and love. More than just a game, this experience was a reminder of Donovan’s resilience, positivity, and the incredible community cheering him on every step of the way.

This time, it wasn’t just about the Bulldogs on the field—it was about one Bulldog fan’s courage, heart, and dream come true.

Dream Snapshots
View Full Photo Album
DO3-Icon-03
Olympic_rings_without_rims.svg
167629e250ac1e6b9713375e40aa46b0
National_Football_League_logo.svg
Volvo
Thank you to the University of Georgia Collegiate Dream Team, Harris American, & our National Collegiate Dream Team Sponsor, Volvo Construction Equipment