SJ teen to miss date with Taylor Swift

In his second bout with cancer, Stratford senior Kevin McGuire won over the Internet and Taylor Swift.

Now the fickle fight will keep the Sterling Regional High School senior from accompanying the superstar to tonights Academy of Country Music Awards.

Hours after being in great spirits Thursday and a day before his planned departure to Las Vegas, McGuire was dealt a 103-degree fever and taken to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, said Kevins mother Vicki McGuire.

He remained in the hospital Saturday, and his sister Victoria posted this message on the Taylor Swift take KEVIN MCGUIRE TO PROM! Facebook page:

I am so sorry to announce this devastating news, but Kevin was admitted to the hospital last night, and is unable to attend the Academy of Country Music Awards with Taylor Swift. As we should all live by the moto live for today a cancer patient feels the impact of these words far too hard. We appreciate everything you have done for us, and we know you are all hurt from this too. ... As for Taylor, she is just as depressed as all of us to miss out on this date, and we are so thankful for the opportunity she has given us.

McGuires cousin Nicole Durand said the 25 hours of chemotherapy had drastically weakened his immune system, preventing room visits for much this week.

His immune system is compromised, the Somerdale resident said.

Fever aside, counts of blood cells and hemoglobin were too low for McGuire to make Saturdays 2,500-mile trip to Las Vegas, site of the 47th Academy of Country Music Awards, Vicki McGuire says.

They was a lot of effort put in it but my cousin is in the hospital, and thats the worst part, Durand says.

Not only cautiously optimistic, McGuire has been cautious leading up to the event, declining a visit to the mall for fear of getting sick and even making sure doctors had washed their hands before visiting him, his mother says.

And he reminded me too quite a few times, Vicki says.

Throughout Kevins ordeal, t! he McGui res have been in constant contact with Taylor Swifts representatives.

(Page 2 of 2)

It was just too much to keep waiting and holding out, says Vicki, who hopes Kevin can return home Sunday. Theyre more concerned about Kevin than the whole award show, Vicki says.

Swift tweeted Saturday: Just talked to Kevin McGuire. Hes not well enough to join me at the ACMs. Please keep him in your thoughts. Ill make it up to you, Kevin!

Vicki McGuire is appreciative of Swift and everyone else who made this opportunity possible.

We would like to thank all the Facebook fans and everybody that was behind him and to stay tuned, she said.

But the support has not wavered.

Richeez Italian Restaurant & Tavern in Hi-Nella will still be rolling out a red carpet at 6 p.m. Sunday and charging a $5 donation to benefit the McGuires, although those under legal drinking age will be shown the door at 9 p.m.

And all 14 Applebees locations in South Jersey, including Kevins former workplace in Voorhees, will still be donating 10 percent of all proceeds after 8 p.m. Sunday to the McGuires and showing the Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast.

The whole point of the fundraiser was to help his family out with medical expenses, to find a match for his bone-marrow transplant so he doesnt need to keep going in and out of the hospital, Rouse said. Who knows, maybe Taylor will give him a shout out.

The country music events reigning Entertainer of the Year, Swift is scheduled to present an award and is nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.

It was more than Swifts talent that charmed McGuire.

Shes just one of those girls where fame doesn't get to her head, said Kevin McGuire minutes after being asked out by Swift on Feb. 24. Shes sweet...If people could be more like Taylor, the world would be a better place.

In addition to Sundays benefits, between 10 to 15 homes in Kevin McGuires Stratford neighborhood will be hosting a! fundrai sing block party from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 21, according to neighbor Sandy Myers.

McGuire, who was first diagnosed with cancer as a 13-year-old, thought he had defeated the illness in 2010. Though his health has taken a turn for the worse, his attitude remains positive, his mother said.

He said to me, Well, how many people get to say they turned down Taylor Swift?< said Vicki McGuire with a small laugh.

Though his cancer has been in remission, Kevin McGuire who last spoke with the Courier-Post Thursday afternoon said he was coming off his most intense week of chemotherapy ever: five days of radiation, five hours each.

I am excited, McGuire said Thursday, but Im trying to prepare myself in case my counts are too low.

The 22-year-old Swift had arranged for McGuire to have a tuxedo and shoes, airfare for him and his family, and hotel accommodations.