On Saturday, September 6th, the Today Show aired a special version of Jaye Watson's story about Napoleon Dynamite star Jon Heder surprising 12-year-old Mary Elizabeth, who is battling leukemia, with an inspiring video.
She is a 12-year-old girl, fighting for her life. He is an actor who made the movie "Napoleon Dynamite" a cult hit.
Jon Heder doesn't know Mary Elizabeth Paris -- doesn't know that his movie has been one of the few bright spots in her drastically altered life.
Mary Elizabeth has leukemia. She's been hospitalized for months waiting for a bone marrow transplant.
She mentioned to one of her nurses at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta that her favorite movie was "Napoleon Dynamite". They got it for her right away.
Mary Elizabeth's nurses also transformed every inch of her hospital room to glowing gold.
Like a devoted fan, Mary Elizabeth's signature thank you to her nurses is from Napoleon, of course.
When the story of her golden transformation and dynamite thank you gesture aired on NBC in Atlanta, Twitter lit up with people asking actor Jon Heder to send a message to Mary Elizabeth.
Heder did one better. He became Napoleon Dynamite -- just for her.
It was an incredible gift from a beloved, quirky outcast to a beloved, brave fan.
Just two days from her bone marrow transplant, in medical isolation, Mary Elizabeth's mother tweeted their gratitude, and shock -- napoleon style. Mary Elizabeth is so happy to hear from you.
