{"id":655683,"date":"2026-03-14T18:55:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T18:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/655683\/"},"modified":"2026-03-14T18:55:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T18:55:21","slug":"jacksonville-4-year-old-with-rare-disease-meets-akshay-bhatia-at-the-players-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/655683\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville 4-year-old with rare disease meets Akshay Bhatia at The Players Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A Jacksonville mom reached out to News4JAX sports anchor Alessandra Pontbriand after seeing her story on Akshay Bhatia. Her 4-year-old daughter Harlow has the same rare disease \u2014 Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency \u2014 that Bhatia\u2019s niece Mia passed away from. They met him at The Players Championship this week, where he signed Harlow\u2019s shirt with a message: \u201cKeep Fighting.\u201d (Kim Higbee)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><strong>PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 A Jacksonville mom, Kim Higbee, reached out to News4JAX sports anchor Alessandra Pontbriand after seeing her story on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/sports\/2026\/03\/13\/volunteer-goes-viral-after-selfie-with-pga-stars-during-rain-delay-at-the-players-championship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/sports\/2026\/03\/13\/volunteer-goes-viral-after-selfie-with-pga-stars-during-rain-delay-at-the-players-championship\/\">volunteer who went viral after taking a selfie with PGA stars Brooks Koepka, Tony Finau and Akshay Bhatia during Thursday\u2019s rain delay at The Players Championship<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Higbee\u2019s 4-year-old daughter Harlow has the same rare disease &#8211; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency &#8211; that Bhatia\u2019s niece Mia passed away from. They met him at The Players Championship this week, where he signed Harlow\u2019s shirt with a message: \u201cKeep Fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A Jacksonville mom reached out to News4JAX sports anchor Alessandra Pontbriand after seeing her story on Akshay Bhatia. Her 4-year-old daughter Harlow has the same rare disease \u2014 Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency \u2014 that Bhatia\u2019s niece Mia passed away from. They met him at The Players Championship this week, where he signed Harlow\u2019s shirt with a message: \u201cKeep Fighting.\u201d (Kim Higbee)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Her mom says Bhatia bringing attention to PDCD means the world to families like theirs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 nALdY copyright\">Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX &#8211; All rights reserved.<\/p>\n<p>About the AuthorAlessandra Pontbriand headshot<a class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__LinkBase-sc-1fnzlkn-9 eUojqd gMnWPT\" href=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/team\/APontbriand\/\" title=\"View Alessandra Pontbriand&#039;s full profile\" itemprop=\"url\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alessandra Pontbriand<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 gnunoy bOlrXa\">Alessandra Pontbriand joined WJXT4 as a sports anchor and reporter in May 2023. She is excited to join the extremely talented sports team and have the opportunity to tell stories across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia from local high schools, universities, and pro teams! <\/p>\n<p>Suspect arrested in Nassau County after fatal double shooting near TPC<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:07<\/p>\n<p>Suspect arrested in Nassau County after fatal double shooting near TPCGov. DeSantis highlights some of his wins, priorities moving forward during newser in Jacksonville<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:29<\/p>\n<p>Gov. DeSantis highlights some of his wins, priorities moving forward during newser in JacksonvilleOrange Park police successfully prevent rumored unauthorized event from taking place<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:44<\/p>\n<p>Orange Park police successfully prevent rumored unauthorized event from taking placeJacksonville\u2019s sports surge this month expected to bring nearly $55M economic impact, boost tourism<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:26<\/p>\n<p>Jacksonville\u2019s sports surge this month expected to bring nearly $55M economic impact, boost tourismNocatee community rallies around resident who was left with a brain injury after a golf cart crash<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:53<\/p>\n<p>Nocatee community rallies around resident who was left with a brain injury after a golf cart crashFrom Gumbo to Golf, Weather Authority weekend forecast<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:01<\/p>\n<p>From Gumbo to Golf, Weather Authority weekend forecastNews4JAX anchor Melanie Lawson recaps her time at TPC Sawgrass<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:48<\/p>\n<p>News4JAX anchor Melanie Lawson recaps her time at TPC SawgrassBTJ at THE PLAYERS<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:31<\/p>\n<p>BTJ at THE PLAYERSDuval County School Board approves Kings Trail Elementary sale, neighbors raise traffic concerns<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:09<\/p>\n<p>Duval County School Board approves Kings Trail Elementary sale, neighbors raise traffic concernsJacksonville\u2019s first outdoor food hall is opening this month | Here\u2019s an inside look<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:10<\/p>\n<p>Jacksonville\u2019s first outdoor food hall is opening this month | Here\u2019s an inside lookBrunswick police warn against \u2018teen takeovers\u2019 after disruption at First Friday event<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:18<\/p>\n<p>Brunswick police warn against \u2018teen takeovers\u2019 after disruption at First Friday eventJEA says company tied to influencer, Jacksonville properties owes more than $330K in past due fees<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:36<\/p>\n<p>JEA says company tied to influencer, Jacksonville properties owes more than $330K in past due feesVoices of the 904 S2 Ep 1. &#8211; How her work for the Northside is a love letter to its culture, history<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:17<\/p>\n<p>Voices of the 904 S2 Ep 1. &#8211; How her work for the Northside is a love letter to its culture, historySt. Johns County celebrates groundbreaking for new Fire Station 22<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:25<\/p>\n<p>St. Johns County celebrates groundbreaking for new Fire Station 22Protecting the next generation of athletes. \ud83c\udfc8<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:10<\/p>\n<p>Protecting the next generation of athletes. \ud83c\udfc8The Players kicked off on Thursday morning<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:46<\/p>\n<p>The Players kicked off on Thursday morningWeather Authority Alert Day declared for Southeast Georgia until 1 p.m.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:47<\/p>\n<p>Weather Authority Alert Day declared for Southeast Georgia until 1 p.m.Florida bill that would increase pay for coaches heads to Gov. DeSantis&#8217; desk<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:12<\/p>\n<p>Florida bill that would increase pay for coaches heads to Gov. DeSantis&#8217; deskTaking you through ALL of TPC Sawgrass (Players Championship course) in under 11 minutes<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 10:54<\/p>\n<p>Taking you through ALL of TPC Sawgrass (Players Championship course) in under 11 minutesMayor Deegan calls JEA investigative committee a \u2018spectacle\u2019 as council expands probe beyond audit<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:22<\/p>\n<p>Mayor Deegan calls JEA investigative committee a \u2018spectacle\u2019 as council expands probe beyond auditAnnie R. Morgan Elementary on Jacksonville\u2019s Westside to become tech incubator, community hub<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:56<\/p>\n<p>Annie R. Morgan Elementary on Jacksonville\u2019s Westside to become tech incubator, community hubCaptain Sandy questions state\u2019s handling of plea deal in Nocatee homebuilding fraud case<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:23<\/p>\n<p>Captain Sandy questions state\u2019s handling of plea deal in Nocatee homebuilding fraud caseCourt ruling could have impact on whether red-light camera remain legal<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:08<\/p>\n<p>Court ruling could have impact on whether red-light camera remain legalCity Council president forms committee to investigate JEA<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:41<\/p>\n<p>City Council president forms committee to investigate JEAEWU women&#8217;s hoops team playing in 1st NCAA DII tournament<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:07<\/p>\n<p>EWU women&#8217;s hoops team playing in 1st NCAA DII tournamentPrevious photoNext photo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A Jacksonville mom reached out to News4JAX sports anchor Alessandra Pontbriand after seeing her story on Akshay Bhatia.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":655684,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5136],"tags":[13058,5229,3188,723,1430,7310,1456,62,89052,88672,60926,106918,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":["post-655683","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-jacksonville","tag-akshay-bhatia","tag-america","tag-fl","tag-florida","tag-golf","tag-jacksonville","tag-pga-tour","tag-sports","tag-the-players","tag-the-players-championship","tag-tpc","tag-tpc-sawgrass","tag-united-states","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-unitedstates","tag-unitedstatesofamerica","tag-us","tag-usa"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116229054483367749","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/655683","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=655683"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/655683\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/655684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=655683"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=655683"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=655683"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}