Where Are They Now?
Andrea Senz

In February of 2000, 17-year-old Andrea asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® to grant her wish to have a hot tub and gazebo in her backyard. Ten years later, Andrea is 27. She will soon be married. She still uses her hot tub. And she knows that her wish has resulted in many other kids – who are in need of an “extra boost” as she was – having their wishes granted.

After making Andrea’s wish come true, Marquis Spas continued supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The company has generated more than $2.4 million in spa donations and discounts for the Foundation.

Being diagnosed with leukemia just before her 16th birthday meant Andrea endured months of coping with chemotherapy and radiation treatment – and their side effects of intense joint pain and flu-like symptoms. A hot tub would comfort her physical distress. And it would be a wish that lasts.

And last, it did.

Just four months ago, she transported her now 10-year-old Marquis hot tub from her parents’ house to her own home, where she continues to enjoy it.

“It still works great!” says Andrea, who was pronounced officially cancer-free in 2005.

When she first met Make-A-Wish^® volunteers, Andrea considered a trip; then she realized she wanted something that would last longer and be therapeutic as well.

“I had a lot of muscle pain, so the hot tub helped me to relax,” recalls Andrea. “I really enjoyed it.”

During the year when Andrea’s hospital visits and chemotherapy treatments were most frequent, she used her hot tub about two to three times per week to soothe her body, depending on her physical strength and health.

On the day the wish was granted, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon threw her a big party with about 30 of her family, her friends and Marquis Spas employees.

“They cared enough to help in any way to give that extra boost. It gave me confidence to fight,” says Andrea. “It gave me the motivation to stick with it.”

Andrea also credits her parents and rest of her family for getting her through the tough times.

“My family is so important to me,” says Andrea. “They helped me through everything. They would decorate my hospital room and visit all the time while I had my hospital stays. ”

Andrea now works for the Washington County District Attorney’s office doing data work as an administrative specialist. She became engaged last January to her fiancé, Carey, and they have wedding plans for June. They want to have children in the future; they currently have two “canine kids,” a Chihuahua and a boxer/pit bull mix. Andrea spends her time riding motorcycles and ATVs, and loves to go camping.