Laila Anderson St. Louis Blues Superfan at Stanley Cup
The St. Louis Blues's Stanley Cup Win Wasn't Complete Without This 11-Year-Old Superfan
The St. Louis Blues made history on June 12 with their first-ever Stanley Cup win, but they weren't the only ones whose dreams came true. Meet Laila Anderson — the 11-year-old Blues superfan is battling hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare immune disease, but she's been present through the NHL playoff series and couldn't have been happier to celebrate her team's win surrounded by her favourite players and their shiny new trophy. Prior to the pivotal Game 7 win versus the Boston Bruins, the Blues surprised Laila with a trip to Boston for the game. Laila's mom captured the moment she told her daughter her doctor had approved the trip, and her reaction instantly made us tear up at our desks.
Get your tissues ready.
Watch how much it means to this 11-year-old girl, Laila Anderson, when mom tells her the @StLouisBlues invited her to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup, and her doctors said she can go.
pic.twitter.com/niSw50O302
— Coy Wire (@CoyWire) June 12, 2019
Not only did she attend the game, but Laila was also on the ice and included in the team celebrations after the Blues's 4-1 victory over the Bruins. With defenceman Colton Parayko right by her side, she followed tradition and kissed the Stanley Cup trophy. Colton also happens to be her favourite player. "She is so special, everything about her," he told USA Today. "She is such a warrior. She perseveres through everything. She is going through such a battle. I was happy to be with her today for this moment. It was special to me." Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, also referred to as HLH, is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body produces too many activated immune cells.
No matter what team you were rooting for in the NHL Playoffs, Laila's incredibly special moment will warm your heart. Check out the footage of Laila at the Stanley Cup Finals ahead, and go Blues!
