CLEMSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – A child who’s been fighting for his life since birth was recently given the weekend of a lifetime at Clemson.
Cohen Sutherland got exclusive access to meet Tigers coaches and athletes, while inspiring them and his family in return.
“He was born and they took him straight away to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit),” Cohen’s father Don Sutherland said. “He had his first surgery at three or four months old.”
Eight-year-old Cohen has already had 28 surgeries, and he summed up his time in the hospital in two words.
“Hard… weird,” Cohen said.
Cohen has congenital heart disease, and his mother Kayla Sutherland said he’s had medical issues with nearly every major organ in his body with few answers as to why.
“We’ve been told that we may not make it by the next day,” Kayla said. “You’re just helpless.”
So the Clemson family stepped up to help Cohen’s family.
They invited the Sutherlands to campus for an all-access weekend while allowing them to meet the basketball team.
“Let’s go, Cohen!” the basketball players yelled while lifting him up for a dunk at Littlejohn Coliseum.
The family got a moment to celebrate during their struggle.
“We all just had to pray together, we had to stay strong together, just really be there for each other,” Cohen’s 14-year-old sister Brelee Sutherland said.
The next morning, they got to experience a college football game day in Death Valley.
Cohen said he was very excited to meet the Tigers’ mascot, which he got to do just before taking the Tiger Walk.
“I get to walk with the cheerleaders!” Cohen said before making the trip down the center of the Tiger Walk and high-fiving players and coaches.
“It’s been amazing,” Don said about the once-in-a-lifetime weekend. “I couldn’t thank everybody enough. I’ve tried. We’ve had a blast. It’s been amazing to see his smile. It’s just been fun.”
His smile shows his strength.
“He has smiled through it all,” Kayla said. “Even in the toughest parts of his life, there is usually a picture of him smiling.”
Cohen’s perseverance inspires his family and the families of Clemson football players.
“We have so much love for you,” the mother of Greenville High School graduate and Clemson wide receiver Tyler Brown said while giving Cohen a fist bump.
“So great to meet you Cohen,” the mother of Clemson cornerbacks A.J. and Avieon Terrell said.
“I don’t think I could ever go through the things that he has been through in his life,” Kayla said while fighting back tears. “He’s an inspiration and it’s just incredible.”
“He is one strong eight year old,” Brelee said about her brother. “There’s no one that can beat how strong he is. He’s a big inspiration.”
Cohen got to finish the day by watching his new favorite team play. The Tigers earned a huge win over The Citadel with the Sutherland family watching from their seats paid for by Clemson.
How he maintains his relentlessly positive attitude is still a mystery to his parents.
“I don’t know, that’s a question for the ages,” Don said. “He just keeps on going and it never ceases to amaze me.”
The family plans to add a new shade of orange to their wardrobe.
“We are big Tennessee fans,” Kayla said. “This has been a little hard for us, but we’re excited. We definitely have a new team to cheer for now.”
Cohen cheered for Tigers football all the way through their ACC Championship. Now he’s cheering for his basketball buddies as the next season begins.
“Clemson’s smashing Florida State!” Cohen yelled from the stands at Littlejohn Coliseum. “Go Tigers!”
Kayla said Cohen’s getting healthier every day and the family’s praying he’ll eventually be home from the hospital for good. The family said after theTigers’ warm welcome, they’re all Clemson fans for life.
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