In March 2025, Blake Shelton interrupted his “Friends & Heroes” tour to fulfill the dying wish of 12-year-old Emily Harper, a leukemia patient at the Jimmy Everest Center in Oklahoma. Emily’s wish was to hear Shelton sing her favorite song, “God Gave Me You.” After her family contacted him, Shelton rearranged his schedule to visit her.
On March 10, Shelton appeared in Emily’s hospital room with his guitar and played a soulful acoustic version of the song. Emily, holding a teddy bear named after him, beamed with joy as he sang other hits like “Austin” and “Honey Bee.” Her mother, Sarah, said they saw Emily smile for the first time in months.
Shelton, known for his charitable work, has supported projects such as the Blake Shelton Cancer Research Program. He once said, “If I can bring even a little comfort to a child with cancer, that’s everything.”
Sadly, Emily passed away on March 20, 2025. During a concert in Greensboro, Shelton dedicated “God Gave Me You” to her, saying, “She’s no longer with us, but I know she’s up there listening.” His emotional tribute left a deep impression on Emily’s family and fans.