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Panthers' Luke Kuechly surprises girl with cerebral palsy, autism for 21st birthday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Before helping the Carolina Panthers keep their dream of a perfect season alive at New Orleans, middle linebacker Luke Kuechly made a local girl’s dream come true for her 21st birthday.

Jessica Hayes is one of WBTV anchor Molly Grantham’s “Molly’s Kids.’’ She has cerebral palsy, autism, cortical blindness and hydrocephalus, an excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain.

In coordination with Charlotte’s “Dream on 3” charity, Kuechly agreed to surprise Hayes for her 21st birthday last Friday before the Panthers ran their record to 12-0 on Sunday with a 41-38 win against the Saints.