Eighteen-year-old Chris had narrowed down his wish list to three things after talking with volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Greater Ohio and Kentucky. His choices consisted of dancing with a pop singer, playing tennis with a star on the women's tour, and taking photographs for National Geographic magazine. In the end, he chose to go on a photo shoot with National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore in Canada.

When wish granters found out Mr. Sartore was interested in helping grant the wish, they realized they had to act quickly. The photo shoot was in four days. With help and input from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada, the Knight Inlet Lodge, and National Geographic, Chris and his dad set off in time for their adventure.

The duo flew to Vancouver, British Columbia, and then boarded a seaplane to Knight Inlet Lodge – a floating resort. There, they met with Mr. Sartore and learned how to use the various cameras and equipment. The coming days were spent in the wilderness photographing grizzly bears, orca whales, seals, otters, glaciers, and the Canadian countryside. Mr. Sartore set up duplicate cameras so Chris could view the action like he was seeing it. An orca whale even swam under Chris' boat at one point.

The teen's photographs were so impressive that National Geographic published two of them in their January issue. Just like any other photographer, the University of Kentucky (UK) freshman was paid for them. Chris ended up using the money he earned from the pictures to buy teddy bears for children at the UK hospital.

Now, Chris is a spokesperson about his experience in an effort to raise money to find a cure for his life-threatening illness. At times, his audiences have numbered in the hundreds. Armed with a tale of generous donors, natural beauty, and state-of-the-art photography equipment, Chris is doing his part to share the power of a wish^® .