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Wish Granted: Young Garfield Boy Meets Young Bruce Wayne

GARFIELD, N.J. -- The national children's charity Kids Wish Network partnered with actor David Mazouz, the young star of the TV show "Gotham," in late August to grant a once-in-a-lifetime experience for an 8-year-old Garfield boy who's dealt with a serious illness for a few years.

The Kids Wish Network arranged for Gavyn Boscio to meet David Mazouz, the actor who plays young Bruce Wayne in "Gotham."

The Kids Wish Network arranged for Gavyn Boscio to meet David Mazouz, the actor who plays young Bruce Wayne in "Gotham."

Photo Credit: Kids Wish Network
The Kids Wish Network arranged for Gavyn Boscio to meet David Mazouz, the actor who plays young Bruce Wayne in "Gotham."

The Kids Wish Network arranged for Gavyn Boscio to meet David Mazouz, the actor who plays young Bruce Wayne in "Gotham."

Photo Credit: Kids Wish Network

Gavyn Boscio was diagnosed with Chiari malformation, a brain malformation, when he was 6. Early on, the severe pain he experienced forced him to miss a lot of school and playing with his friends, so he spent his day watching the latest episodes of his favorite TV show, "Gotham."

Kids Wish Network sent him and his family to New York City, and they spent one of their days there with David, the young actor who plays Bruce Wayne as a boy.

Gavyn first learned his wish was being granted from a video Kids Wish Network and David put together, in which David thanked Gavyn for being his No. 1 fan. It was played in Gavyn's class, and his parents, sister, principal and even his teacher from the prior year were there.

"He was just in awe," Gavyn's mother, Erica Boscio, told Daily Voice. "I think he was just in disbelief."

As part of the wish, Gavyn and his family stayed at the historic Roosevelt Hotel.  The day before they met with David, they visited Madame Tussauds wax museum, before having dinner at the Hard Rock Café.

Gavyn met David and his mom and sister at the popular Chelsea eatery the Red Cat.

Boscio said Gavyn, who's very shy, didn't say much in the first few minutes. But that didn't last: "They talked about Batman, their favorite video games and school."

After lunch, the group made its way to Forbidden Planet, New York's No. 1 comic store, and the young men checked out all the superhero items and picked out Batman comic books together. David even autographed a Batman figurine for Gavyn.

"It was so much fun hanging out with Gavyn," David said. "I admire what Kids Wish Network does -- inspiring hope in these kids. I feel fortunate to be a part of it all."

And Gavyn loved the experience, too.

"It was fun, and awesome," he told Daily Voice. "I love Batman."

He was also very candid about his Batman preferences. "David is the second-best Batman," he said, before clarifying, "It's the No. 1 best non-animated Batman show."

Gavyn then confidently described "Batman Beyond," the animated show. "It's about Batman mentoring a new Batman, when he's old."

Boscio described Gavyn's reaction to the day with David quite clearly:

When we got into the cab, to head back to the hotel, I looked over and saw tears dripping down his face. I asked him, 'What's wrong?" and he said, "Nothing, Mommy. This was just my best day ever.'

"David and his family were such warm, welcoming people," Boscio said. "I felt privileged to meet them."

Before heading home, after breakfast at Ellen's Stardust Diner, the family got a special tour of the Statue of Liberty.

"It means so much for our Wish Kids and their families to get a break from their illness by granting them a wish," said Kids Wish Network Executive Director Anna Lanzatella.

"We are so pleased to work with celebrities like David who give freely of their time to make a huge difference in a sick child's life."

In helping grant this wish, David joined a long list of celebrities who have supported Kids Wish Network in making the wishes of children facing life-threatening illnesses come true. To learn more, and find out how you can help grant wishes, visit the website.

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