Florida News Beep
  • News Beep
  • Florida
  • Jacksonville
  • Miami
  • Tampa
  • Orlando
  • Port St. Lucie
  • United States
Florida News Beep
Florida News Beep
  • News Beep
  • Florida
  • Jacksonville
  • Miami
  • Tampa
  • Orlando
  • Port St. Lucie
  • United States
Jacksonville 4-year-old with rare disease meets Akshay Bhatia at The Players Championship
JJacksonville

Jacksonville 4-year-old with rare disease meets Akshay Bhatia at The Players Championship

  • March 14, 2026

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 — Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency — that Bhatia’s niece Mia passed away from. They met him at The Players Championship this week, where he signed Harlow’s shirt with a message: “Keep Fighting.” (Kim Higbee)

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – A Jacksonville mom, Kim Higbee, reached out to News4JAX sports anchor Alessandra Pontbriand after seeing her story on the volunteer that went viral after taking a selfie with PGA stars Brooks Koepka, Tony Finau and Akshay Bhatia during Thursday’s rain delay at The Players Championship.

Higbee’s 4-year-old daughter Harlow has the same rare disease – Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency – that Bhatia’s niece Mia passed away from. They met him at The Players Championship this week, where he signed Harlow’s shirt with a message: “Keep Fighting.”

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 — Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency — that Bhatia’s niece Mia passed away from. They met him at The Players Championship this week, where he signed Harlow’s shirt with a message: “Keep Fighting.” (Kim Higbee)

Her mom says Bhatia bringing attention to PDCD means the world to families like theirs.

Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.

About the AuthorAlessandra Pontbriand headshotAlessandra Pontbriand

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!

Gov. DeSantis highlights some of his wins, priorities moving forward during newser in Jacksonville

▶ 1:29

Gov. DeSantis highlights some of his wins, priorities moving forward during newser in JacksonvilleOrange Park police successfully prevent rumored unauthorized event from taking place

▶ 0:44

Orange Park police successfully prevent rumored unauthorized event from taking placeJacksonville’s sports surge this month expected to bring nearly $55M economic impact, boost tourism

▶ 1:26

Jacksonville’s 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

▶ 0:53

Nocatee community rallies around resident who was left with a brain injury after a golf cart crashFrom Gumbo to Golf, Weather Authority weekend forecast

▶ 1:01

From Gumbo to Golf, Weather Authority weekend forecastNews4JAX anchor Melanie Lawson recaps her time at TPC Sawgrass

▶ 0:48

News4JAX anchor Melanie Lawson recaps her time at TPC SawgrassBTJ at THE PLAYERS

▶ 1:31

BTJ at THE PLAYERSDuval County School Board approves Kings Trail Elementary sale, neighbors raise traffic concerns

▶ 1:09

Duval County School Board approves Kings Trail Elementary sale, neighbors raise traffic concernsJacksonville’s first outdoor food hall is opening this month | Here’s an inside look

▶ 1:10

Jacksonville’s first outdoor food hall is opening this month | Here’s an inside lookBrunswick police warn against ‘teen takeovers’ after disruption at First Friday event

▶ 1:18

Brunswick police warn against ‘teen takeovers’ after disruption at First Friday eventJEA says company tied to influencer, Jacksonville properties owes more than $330K in past due fees

▶ 1:36

JEA says company tied to influencer, Jacksonville properties owes more than $330K in past due feesVoices of the 904 S2 Ep 1. – How her work for the Northside is a love letter to its culture, history

▶ 0:17

Voices of the 904 S2 Ep 1. – How her work for the Northside is a love letter to its culture, historySt. Johns County celebrates groundbreaking for new Fire Station 22

▶ 1:25

St. Johns County celebrates groundbreaking for new Fire Station 22Protecting the next generation of athletes. 🏈

▶ 1:10

Protecting the next generation of athletes. 🏈The Players kicked off on Thursday morning

▶ 0:46

The Players kicked off on Thursday morningWeather Authority Alert Day declared for Southeast Georgia until 1 p.m.

▶ 0:47

Weather Authority Alert Day declared for Southeast Georgia until 1 p.m.Florida bill that would increase pay for coaches heads to Gov. DeSantis’ desk

▶ 1:12

Florida bill that would increase pay for coaches heads to Gov. DeSantis’ deskTaking you through ALL of TPC Sawgrass (Players Championship course) in under 11 minutes

▶ 10:54

Taking you through ALL of TPC Sawgrass (Players Championship course) in under 11 minutesMayor Deegan calls JEA investigative committee a ‘spectacle’ as council expands probe beyond audit

▶ 1:22

Mayor Deegan calls JEA investigative committee a ‘spectacle’ as council expands probe beyond auditAnnie R. Morgan Elementary on Jacksonville’s Westside to become tech incubator, community hub

▶ 0:56

Annie R. Morgan Elementary on Jacksonville’s Westside to become tech incubator, community hubCaptain Sandy questions state’s handling of plea deal in Nocatee homebuilding fraud case

▶ 1:23

Captain Sandy questions state’s handling of plea deal in Nocatee homebuilding fraud caseCourt ruling could have impact on whether red-light camera remain legal

▶ 1:08

Court ruling could have impact on whether red-light camera remain legalCity Council president forms committee to investigate JEA

▶ 0:41

City Council president forms committee to investigate JEAEWU women’s hoops team playing in 1st NCAA DII tournament

▶ 1:07

EWU women’s hoops team playing in 1st NCAA DII tournamentCaught up with Anton Harrison. It was his first time at The Players Championship.

▶ 1:54

Caught up with Anton Harrison. It was his first time at The Players Championship. Previous photoNext photo

  • Tags:
  • Akshay Bhatia
  • Golf
  • Jacksonville
  • Jacksonville Headlines
  • Jacksonville News
  • pga tour
  • sports
  • The Players
  • THE PLAYERS Championship
  • TPC
  • TPC Sawgrass
Florida News Beep
www.newsbeep.com