A hospice patient’s final wish involving Michael Jordan ended with a reunion that left her family and caregivers with a memory they said they will never forget. Ms. Etta, a former teacher at Laney High School, had often spoken about her former students during conversations with caregivers and repeatedly mentioned one name that stood above the rest: Michael Jordan.
According to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, Ms. Etta shared one special wish with caregivers as she reflected on meaningful moments from her life. She wanted “to hug Michael’s neck one more time,” referring to the former student who later became one of basketball’s most celebrated figures.
That wish initially appeared difficult to fulfill after several attempts to contact Jordan came up short. Nobody knew whether the message would ever reach him. Everything changed, however, when an unexpected phone call suddenly altered the entire situation. Jordan also recently rejected the GOAT debate.
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An Unknown Number Turned Into An Unforgettable Call
Wendy, a social worker with Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, received a phone call from an unfamiliar number after multiple unsuccessful efforts to connect with Jordan.
The voice on the other end had a simple question. “Is this Ms. Etta?” The caller was Jordan himself.
The moment quickly shifted from uncertainty to excitement as Wendy realized that Ms. Etta’s wish was about to become reality. Rather than allowing the opportunity to pass, she immediately got in her car and drove to Ms. Etta’s home so the two could connect through FaceTime.
The virtual reunion became far more than a quick check-in between a former teacher and her student. LifeCare staff said the pair spent time laughing together, revisiting old memories and sharing stories from the past.
Their conversation reportedly brought back moments that mattered deeply to Ms. Etta. Those memories had become an important part of her discussions with caregivers, who said she often reflected on favorite experiences and former students. The reunion also created a meaningful moment not only for Ms. Etta, but for those around her who witnessed it happen.
Stories surrounding hospice care often focus on difficult circumstances and painful realities. Lower Cape Fear LifeCare said experiences like this one can also highlight another side of that journey.
The organization explained that creating moments of comfort and connection remains central to the care patients receive. For Ms. Etta, that meant reconnecting with someone who represented a treasured chapter of her life.
LifeCare later described the experience in a statement that emphasized the emotional impact of the reunion. “This is what hospice is about,” the organization said. “It is about living as comfortably and fully as possible. It is about creating moments of connection, peace, laughter, and love.”
The statement continued by recognizing that meaningful experiences can arrive in different ways. “Sometimes those moments are quiet. Sometimes they are unforgettable. And sometimes… they even involve the GOAT.” The organization also thanked Wendy and Jordan for helping make Ms. Etta’s wish possible.
Published: May 14, 2026 11:30 am