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This wish story makes me feel: |
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Combine the largest Make-A-Wish®
fundraising event in the country with a brave little girl who loves Elmo, and you have the makings of magic.
In 2009, in conjunction with the 22nd annual Wish-A-Mile 300 bicycle tour, the Make-A-Wish Foundation®
of Michigan celebrated its 25th birthday and granted its 6,000th wish! The milestone wish was that of 3-year-old Amanda, who lives in West Michigan and was diagnosed with metastatic hepatoblastoma, a cancer affecting her liver.
Amanda has spent more than half of her life in a hospital, during which time she fell in love with anything and everything Elmo. “While in the hospital, all she wanted to do was hear about Elmo, watch Elmo and talk about Elmo,” said Susan Lerch, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan.
Upon hearing Amanda’s wish, Kevin Clash, Elmo’s “muppeteer,” canceled a prior engagement so he could fly to Michigan to meet Amanda. When Amanda entered the room, Elmo was waiting on the couch, waving and calling her name. Amanda ran into his arms in a flurry of astonished giggles. The pair spent the next 90 minutes singing, dancing, chatting and laughing. Elmo even called his Sesame Street friend, Abby Cadabby, to speak with Amanda on the phone.
Amanda paused every few moments of the visit to hug and kiss her new friend. “You’re fuzzy, Elmo,” Amanda said, patting his head. “I’m fuzzy too,” she added, patting her own hair, which is beginning to grow back after chemotherapy. Midway through the visit, she threw her arms around Elmo’s neck and said, “Thank you, Elmo. I love you.”
“Amanda’s wish exceeded our wildest expectations,” said her mom, Meredith. “We’re overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support and can’t thank everyone enough. Today was a day none of us will ever forget.”
Click here to view Amanda's wish video.
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this was amazing and heart touching wish thank u so much to elmo and the wish-a-mile bicycle tour for bringing so much joy to amanda:)
- sylvia 01/30/2010 12:12 -
Oh! That's so cute! I'm still a big Elmo fan myself.
Thanks Elmo, for supporting this lovely little girl!
- Andrea 02/21/2010 21:28 -
I\'m not a very emotional person, but I started to cry when I watched this video. There was just such a bond between Amanda and her beloved Elmo. May Amanda make a complete recovery and enjoy Elmo for many years to come!
- Anne 02/28/2010 17:07 -
Thats great that probably was one of the best days of her life congrats Amanda you deserved it
- Jasenia 06/01/2010 12:49 -
This is an amazing video, the look in Amandas eyes was so touching
- Amber 06/23/2010 22:50 -
That was so sweet of Kevin Clash "Elmo" to take time out of his busy schedule to make Amanda's dream come true. Such a heartfelt story...Thanx to Make-A-Wish Foundation for making dreams become a reality!!
- Amanda 07/10/2010 13:16 -
I'm actually donig a speech project on the Make-A-Wish Foundation and I found this very beautiful and overwelming because I'm a big fan of elmo and I'm only 20 years old!!! Wow I was really inspired by this story and if I was to be diagnosed...I would truly be blessed to see elmo after all these years!! Thank you Make-A-Wish for makin children's wishes come true!!!! U are a beautiful blessing! Mwyahh!
- Diamond Shanklin 07/26/2010 12:18 -
i literally cried as i read this.
God bless you all. thank you for your amazing work.
- Carlos 08/12/2010 13:28 -
We're so glad that Amanda got her wish. She definitely deserves it! Thank you Elmo for making her so happy.
- Danny and Grant 09/23/2010 7:40 -
I love knowing that a child is so sincere and honest! She didn't wish for anything spectacular...she just wanted to meet Elmo! To hear that Elmo cancelled everything else to come play with this child is simply amazing. What a joy to be around kids this innocent! God bless you Amanda! I am praying for you sweetie!
- Leslie 07/14/2011 12:45 -
My fondest memories as a child was watching Sesame Street! I am so inspired by this story and am touched by this little girl's wish to meet Elmo. Amanda's wish is truly touching!
- Dana 07/26/2011 10:56
