8-Year-Old With Cancer Has Wish Granted, Becomes Nat Geo Photographer For A Day

Eight-year-old Oban Birmingham from Connecticut has a passion for nature, especially endangered Florida panthers. His dream is to explore the outdoors and become a wildlife photographer.

Sadly, Oban was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in October 2020, but his illness never stopped him from wanting to achieve his dreams.

Thanks to Make-a-Wish South Florida, an organization that helps make wishes come true for children battling life-threatening illnesses, Oban’s dream came true – at least for a day.

The organization arranged for Oban to spend a day with Carlton Ward, a photographer for National Geographic, at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Southwest Florida.

Not only did Oban get to go on an exclusive tour with the photographer, but he was even able to use Ward’s camera to take pictures of the wildlife he saw out there.

Oban received rare access aboard a swamp buggy and was able to photograph exotic birds, wild boars and alligators throughout the day.

In addition to photographing the wildlife, Oban also got to learn about the trail cameras that Ward uses to get natural photos of wildlife without disturbing them.

Ward, who has a child the same age as Oban, throughout enjoyed the one-on-one time he got to spend with Oban, teaching him his skills and sharing their love of nature and wildlife photography with each other.

Oban, who is now in remission, says his favorite thing about nature is “how beautiful it is.” And it’s safe to say that this experience is one that Oban will never forget.

Watch more in the video below:

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