Memorable Viewer Surprises

Derek Jeter, Donald Trump and John Tartaglio

Baseball all-star Derek Jeter and business tycoon Donald Trump helped Oprah pull off one of her most inspiring surprises in May 2005.

They teamed up after hearing John Tartaglio's story. At 17, this athletic high school student contracted a rare muscle-eating bacteria. Doctors were forced to amputate his legs and part of his arm.

John's family and friends wrote in about his courage and his biggest passion—the New York Yankees. Derek helped make John's major league dream come true by surprising him at a high school pep rally and whisking him away in Donald's helicopter. They spent the day at Yankee Stadium, practicing with the entire team.

Four years later, John is preparing to graduate from college and begin medical school applications. He says he's now able to walk with prosthetic legs, and soon, he'll start training for his first marathon.