Make-A-Wish Stories - Sports

I wish to go to the Super Bowl.

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:32:45 GMT

It�s moments before kickoff. The referee tosses the coin in the air. Heads or tails? Kick or receive? Giants or Patriots?

The anticipation is almost too much for David. He�s gone through so much to make it to Super Bowl XLVI. He�s survived leukemia, sat out a year of football to regain his health, battled to return to his team.

David is one of a dozen Make-A-Wish^® kids at the Super Bowl XLVI matchup between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. They�ll watch the teams give their all to claim the title. For each, the gridiron is more than spectacle � it�s inspiration, strength and optimism. And the Super Bowl is the absolute pinnacle of the football world. An unforgettable experience for each child, each family.

This chance to watch Super Bowl XLVI live is a new beginning for David. He�s already triumphed over leukemia. His return to the high school football team inspired his teammates to a state championship.

This moment is the first of his future. David pictures himself as an oncology nurse � with the first-hand knowledge to care for young patients, just like himself. He had the strength to overcome leukemia, and that strength guides him toward the path of helping others.

Each Super Bowl XLVI wish came true thanks to the Make-A-Wish^® America relationships with the National Football League and Chevrolet.

I wish to meet Tom Brady.

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:02:59 GMT

In moments of struggle and hardship, most of us try to rise above by imagining what our heroes would do or say in times. For some, these heroes are family members, religious entities, or comic book characters � for others, like Eric, strength and courage exist in the famous athletes we usually only see on the big screen.

Searching for strength in dealing with his condition, 18-year-old Eric wished to meet New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady. With the help of Make-A-Wish^® America volunteers and sponsors, Eric was soon a world away from the worries of his treatments while riding in a limousine to Massachusetts to meet his hero.

As he stands alongside Brady, Eric�s joy is undeniable. Here is the guy Eric watched on television winning Super Bowls. He exudes strength, power, confidence. If he can stand near Tom Brady, who is ever-willing and excited to meet him, too, Eric can do anything, even endure his treatments. It�s this dash of hope that makes such an everlasting impact on wish kids like him.

After meeting Brady, Eric watches him in action as the Patriots beat the Dallas Cowboys 20-16 at Gillette Stadium. But Eric�s experience continues. Eric and his family stay at the Courtyard by Marriot Boston Raynham while they connect with other wish families for lunch at CBS Scene restaurant. Eric is one of seven wish kids who meet Patriots players that day. A visit to the Patriots Hall of Fame completes his Make-A-Wish^® experience.

New England Patriot�s Tom Brady is known for his Cinderella story starting out as a sixth-round draft choice and seventh-string quarterback to finally taking his team to three Super Bowl Championships �with a potential fourth this February. To those of you who aren�t football fans this simply means Brady beat the odds, a great inspiration for wish kids who struggle to do the same.

I wish to meet the New York Giants.

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:49:11 GMT

The New York Giants have a challenge to face � a Super Bowl XLVI match-up with the New England Patriots. And a challenge looms for Giants fan Frank. Soon, he will get a bone marrow transplant. The Giants and Frank both need a dash of courage and a helping of luck.

With the help of Make-A-Wish^® volunteers and sponsors, Frank and his family fly to New Jersey to meet the team. Frank, his mother, father and two younger sisters met Coach Tom Coughlin, quarterback Eli Manning and linebacker Mark Herzlich

�I felt proud that these guys who are football players and coaches took time to step out of their status to come meet with us when they didn�t have to,� Frank�s mother, Maria, says.

Frank enjoyed having lunch with Herzlich, a cancer survivor whose words gave him extra courage to overcome his condition.

After spending time with these athletes, Frank and his family received New York Giants jackets, an autographed football and other memorabilia.

�It was unbelievable,� Frank says.

Maria reveled in those moments seeing her son swept away from worry and fear.

�Words can�t express it,� she says. �He was just so happy.�

But the Make-A-Wish^® experience wasn�t over yet. Frank had the chance to see his team live in action.

Football lifts hearts and minds. The players� commitment and sacrifice buoys its fans. For Frank, this game brought hope because his team won and he met them. Maybe the Giants and Frank bring each other luck for the obstacles ahead.

Once back home, Maria sees her son and youngest daughter Jaclyn � siblings who never really got along � sitting next to each other replaying the moments they met the team. Frank�s other sister Maryssa is ready to help her big brother as his bone marrow donor.

Though it was Frank�s wish, it left the entire family stronger and more connected than ever.

I wish to share my music.

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:21:02 GMT

It�s another 12-hour day on the set for her music video. Set designers, producers, hair and makeup artists � all scramble under the bright studio lights. Their mission: to help Ivy, who is diagnosed with brain cancer, create a lasting artistic work � to grant her one true wish.

Ivy�s desire never falters during the long hours of work as her wish comes true. She participates in every step to turn her song, �At Ease,� into a professional-caliber music video. One of her teachers who went to war in the Middle East inspired her to write the lyrics. Ivy�s creative vision drives every aspect of the production, right down to its 1940s-inspired visual flare. The music? She wrote and recorded it before she was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Just getting to Seattle to have her wish granted is a tribute to her attitude. To be here, Ivy measured her progress in standing up out of her wheelchair, taking a few more steps than she did the previous day, reclaiming her guitar chops.

The work comes to fruition when more than 200 people join her at Seattle�s EMP Museum for the video premier of �At Ease.� Her success continues today, with the song available on iTunes. The music video is posted on YouTube and wish.org.

Ivy�s wish come true still inspires others � and Ivy herself. She knows people around the world can share her message of peace and find an emotional lift from her lyrics and melodies. And that gives her extra motivation to stay positive as she battles brain cancer.

I wish to go watch Wheel of Fortune live.

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:43:54 GMT

Everything is just as Connor imagined � the stage, the bright lights, the enthusiastic audience. He puts his hand on the famous wheel and gives it a spin, a highlight of his Wheel of Fortune wish.

Connor�s is the 14th wish granted by the Wheel of Fortune family. Since their first wish in 2000, they�ve welcomed every Wheel of Fortune wish with unforgettable enthusiasm. The cast and crew do everything to ensure that Connor enjoys every moment of his visit.

Connor and his family sit in the audience for two taped episodes and meet Vanna White, Connor�s favorite TV personality. They enjoy taking photos by the classic letter board, the one thing Connor has been most anxious to see. He�s always wanted to touch the famous letter board � and the day he finally does, it displays a message just for him: �Wheel of Fortune welcomes Connor!�

Connor�s condition will always be a challenge. But in his wish, he finds belief in all the possibilities in his life. And his new friends on the Wheel of Fortune set see how a Make-A-Wish^® experience can change a kid�s life.

I wish to have a Pearl drum kit.

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:05:34 GMT

It started with a toy drum set. Ben, then 3 years old, played the toy drums until they fell apart.

Now Ben sits behind a Pearl Masterworks kit � one of the renowned drum company�s flagship kits. Sticks in-hand, feet on the high-hat and bass pedals, a smile on his face � it�s a perfect day for Ben, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin�s lymphoma when he was 17.

He told Make-A-Wish^® volunteers that his wish was to have a Pearl drum kit. Ben learned about a year ago that his wish would come true. He spent more than an hour talking with a Pearl technician to plan the perfect kit � from the emerald-fade color to the ply of the drum shells.

The day to receive his wish arrives. Employees at the Nashville facility give him a tour. He learns about his favorite drum company � its roster of artists, the gold and platinum records hanging on the walls, its origins in a 300-square-foot factory in Japan. Ben even enjoys a Skype chat with celebrity Pearl artist Horacio Hernandez, one of his favorite drummers.

Ben�s wish experience is more than just an incredible drum kit that he�ll enjoy every day: It�s the inspiration to look beyond each day of medical treatment and recovery, a glimpse into life after cancer.

We wish to go to the MLB All-Star Game.

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:33:06 GMT

Six Make-A-Wish Kids Attend MLB All-Star Game

It�s been more than two years since Erick, 18, played baseball. Last year, he watched a teammate from his youth travel team get selected by the Washington Nationals.

And before that, Erick was diagnosed with cancer.

At first, it was easy for despair to get the better of him. But he soon found new heroes, new optimism � and five like-minded new friends: Erick was one of six Make-A-Wish^® kids who lived their wish to watch the MLB All-Star Game. MLB provided a private suite for all three days of All-Star activities, personalized swag bags for each wish kid, field access during batting practice, access to Fanfest before its public opening and meet-and-greet sessions with players.

Shared Wish Forges Bonds

�I draw inspiration from a lot of people,� Erick tells Yahoo.com, with a gesture at fellow wish kid Steven, 17. �But he�s my motivation to get back on the field.�

Steven lost part of his left leg � yet he�s persevered and returned to playing football and basketball. Erick and Steven bonded immediately � over the shared obstacles they face, the odds they must overcome, the triumph they feel at living an All-Star Game dream.

Fourteen-year-old Scott understands their shared drive to get back into sports. He was diagnosed with Long QT syndrome in the fourth grade. He refuses to let �an electrical short of the heart� keep him from the baseball diamond. Scott just sits out a few extra innings, and his parents stand ready with a defibrillator.

�My favorite thing in life is basically this,� Scott tells the Associated Press. �I love meeting players and I love baseball.�

Adversity and Understanding

Zachary, 13, understands everything Scott says. He struggles with headaches, an after-effect of his bout with brain cancer. Despite the headaches, he will try out for his high school�s freshman team next month.

Muscular dystrophy ended 16-year-old Jose�s baseball-playing days. But he�s grateful for getting to play � and he credits the game with showing him the patience to battle his condition. Not that he thought about it during his All-Star experience.

"I am forever grateful to MLB and the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® for giving me the experience of a lifetime and for the memories of the 2011 All-Star Weekend that will forever stay with me,� he says. �Thank you for the opportunity to realize my wish."

Also attending the game was 13-year-old Bo from Dallas. He was diagnosed with leukemia.

�Bo had the best time of his life,� says his mother, Jennifer.

Beyond a Grand Slam

All six wish kids share a luxury suite � and the memories of meeting their favorite players. Each knows these are moments that can�t be duplicated � and they are powerful memories that can rally them through difficult times.

Erick feels the weight of the occasion, along with profound gratitude for the Make-A-Wish supporters and volunteers who made his wish come true.

"If it wasn't for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, I wouldn't be here right now," he says.

�We are very thankful for the generosity of Major League Baseball, the teams, the owners, and the players for their support of wish kids all season long,� says David Williams, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. �Since 1980, the league has granted wishes to go to the All-Star Game. It�s a unique wish experience that creates lasting memories to help children with life-threatening medical conditions.�

The Make-A-Wish Foundation thanks Major League Baseball for making six incredible wishes come true. MLB�s generosity provided access and souvenirs that made each wish a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I wish to go to the GRAMMY� Awards.

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:37:57 GMT

Pictured: Matthew and his mom with Bruno Mars.

The red carpet is ready. Cameras flash. The biggest names in music and entertainment are gathered in one place. It�s the 53rd Annual GRAMMY^® Awards � and a wish is about to come true for 18-year-old Matthew.

The celebrity spotting begins as Matthew and his family arrive in Hollywood to watch some of his favorite artists rehearse for the show. Backstage, Matthew is star-struck and speechless. The royal treatment ensues as Matthew spends the day touring the GRAMMY Museum and picking up swag bags in the gifting suite.

The day before his walk on the red carpet, Matthew and his family enjoy walking the Santa Monica pier and soaking in the California sunshine. Saturday afternoon arrives � time for a special meet-and-greet with Bruno Mars, including a tour, posing for pictures, and a Q & A session. Then Matthew surprises us all and presents Bruno with a St. Christopher pendant that the singer puts on immediately.

It has an engraved message, �May all your wishes come true.� Matthew touches the hearts of everyone in the room. As his wish comes true, Matthew shows his compassion and selflessness by hoping the wishes of others come true.

It�s the big day. Matthew suits up. A limo takes the anxious teen to Staples Center, where a front-row seat on the red carpet is awaiting his arrival. He shakes the hands of musicians, actors, actresses and athletes � Matthew�s smile lights up brighter than any of the cameras around him. As the show begins inside, Matthew watches from his first-class seat. The night concludes with a reserved table at a GRAMMY after-party.

This Make-A-Wish^® trip of a lifetime hit a high note for Matthew. It�s a weekend he�ll remember forever. And, just as his pendant had read � his wish came true.

I wish to meet Michael Jordan.

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:15:57 GMT

Wish kid gets golf tips from his basketball hero

In the warmth of the Nevada desert, a Pennsylvania teen had his wish come true when he met his favorite basketball player. But rather than shoot hoops, he received pointers about putting, and he loved every minute of it.

Marc, 16, had a private meeting with Michael Jordan at Shadow Creek, the legendary golf course in Las Vegas and the site for this year�s Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational.

Jordan chatted with Marc and his family during a private meeting at Shadow Creek and signed autographs. He then gave the teen golfer some putting tips on the practice green � Marc sank his first putt from 12 feet to the delight of the assembled crowd.

Afterward, Marc�s mom said, �I am very proud of my son. After all of his sickness and everything that we have gone through, finally seeing his wish come true is what�s very nice for me.�

�It was an honor to grant Marc�s wish,� Jordan said. �I�ve seen over and over how the Foundation brings happiness and positively impacts a child�s life with an unforgettable wish experience. Through our charitable efforts, more children will see their wishes come true.�

Since 2009, the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational has raised more than $455,000 for the Foundation. This year�s tournament raised $100,000 for wish granting.

In addition to being a five-time recipient of the National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award, Jordan is the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® Chief Wish Ambassador. He is one of the Foundation�s most-requested celebrity wish granters, and supports numerous outreach efforts for significant programs such as World Wish Day^® .

Watch the video of Marc's day with Michael Jordan.

I wish to meet Ringo Starr.

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 22:17:29 GMT

Teenager Rocks with Ringo Starr

Alexx and Ringo share a moment as they discuss a mutual passion - drums.

Who hasn�t wanted to play a drum riff with Ringo Starr?

A 17-year-old musician�s wish led to that dream coming true � and he got to keep the drums from the jam session.

Alexx has been a fan of Ringo Starr since the second grade�that�s when his parents gave him an old Beatles tape. He not only liked it, he started to play the drums at the age of 8.

The young drummer made good progress until his then undiagnosed brain cancer began to destroy his focus. During his treatment, Alexx took a break from the drums, but he resumed lessons three years ago. He now attends the Ivy Street School in Boston, a residential school for adolescents with brain injuries, and takes weekly drum lessons at a local music co-op. Alexx recently played drums to �In My Life� at a recital and sang �Octopus's Garden,� a song written by Starr, at his school�s talent show.

With sticks in hand, Alexx shows that he can lay down the serious groove.

The legendary Beatles drummer granted Alexx�s wish to meet him at the Hard Rock Caf� in Hollywood, Calif. on March 31.

After greeting Alexx with a hug, Starr led his young admirer on a tour of the restaurant�s rock-n-roll memorabilia. One of the mementos displayed is a drum head, split through the center, that Starr donated to Hard Rock. The split happened during a performance, he recalled, but he kept playing anyway. �Never stop � that�s the deal,� Starr said.

Starr presented Alexx with his own Ludwig drum kit and the pair rocked out together to christen the new instruments.

Alexx�s wish launched activities for World Wish Day^® 2011, the Foundation�s global celebration of wish granting.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Hard Rock and Ringo Starr to Donate Proceeds from Limited-Edition Items

Hard Rock International is offering the limited-edition Ringo Starr Signature Series: Edition 28 T-shirt and limited-edition pin, designed by Starr. Fifteen percent of the purchase price will be donated to Starr�s charity The Lotus Foundation to directly benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The T-shirt features the drummer�s critically acclaimed original artwork � a colorful burst of stars and iconic message of �Peace and Love� on the front, with Starr�s authentic signature on the back.

I wish to to meet Carlinhos from The Farm.

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:16:19 GMT

Arthur loves watching the reality show The Farm. And his favorite reason to tune in is to cheer for Carlinhos, the Brazilian contestant. When he wished to meet Carlinhos, Arthur got to visit the set, visit the petting zoo and spend the day with his favorite star. Carlinhos even showed Arthur how to do all the farm chores that the wish kid has watched on TV so many times.

I wish to be a race car driver.

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:11:09 GMT

When Justin�s wish got rolling, he roared to a local racetrack escorted by a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, a Maserati and a BMW. When he arrived, he hopped into an F1 kart to race his family and friends. After his trip to the Winner�s Circle, he enjoyed a post-race party complete with all his favorite racing video games.

See Justin in action! Watch a video of Justin's wish from World Wish Day 2010.

I wish to meet Mo'Nique.

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:30:27 GMT

ABOVE: Mo'Nique presents Chassity with a gift.

Wish kid Chassity traveled to Atlanta to meet comedienne and actress Mo'Nique. She appeared on an episode of the star�s BET talk show which was televised Tuesday, February 8. Below is the e-mail Chassity sent about her wish experience.

"First of all, I want to thank you all for making my dream and my wish come true. I would also like to thank you all for your time, your dedication, and your hard work that you all put in my wish. Thanks to my wish granters here in St. Louis, and the ones who helped in Atlanta, for all of the special gifts that I received, especially the pink camera!

The trip was amazing. On the first day, my family and I were picked up by a long, black limo, and driven to the airport. Once we arrived in Atlanta, we picked up our very nice rental and we drove to the Sheraton Hotel, which was very nice. There was another gift waiting for me in our room, which was on the Club Floor. In a pink bag, there were a lot of snacks and aquarium tickets for me and my family. Once we got settled in, we went shopping at the Perimeter Mall.

The wish day was my most favorite, of course. We relaxed all day until it was time to get ready. Mo�Nique sent us a nice car to pick us up. When we got to the studio, they showed us around and escorted me to my very own dressing room. Then, they did my hair and makeup. It was perfect - not too much and not too little, Just right. Mo�Nique even asked me to come in her dressing room and she showed me her personal area. I met her husband Sydney. He's nice. The Mo�Nique Show also gave me a gift basket with a lot of pink things, like a watch. So much that happened at the taping, I don�t think I will be able to tell it all. They treated me just like I was a celebrity, I even got to write my name on the celebrity wall. There was so much that I didn�t even expect. It was amazing.

Friday was the aquarium day. That was fun, too. We saw an amazing 3D show and we went shopping again that day. Mostly, we just tried (which was not hard at all) to enjoy the last night in Atlanta.
Because it was the day to go home, the only fun thing about the last day was there was a limo driver, who was holding my name up, to take us home. My trip was stress-free and I didn't get sick at all. This was the best vacation EVER. I will never, ever forget this trip. Thank you all so much!"

- Chassity

I wish to meet the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:16:08 GMT

Pictured Above: Nicolas shows defensive ace Troy Polamalu and wide receiver standout Hines Ward his rocket arm.

Nicolas brings out the gentler, kinder side of Troy Polamalu.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has thrown thousands of footballs during his lifetime. But the passes he threw one August afternoon were particularly meaningful for that day�s receiver. For Nicolas, 7, tossing a pigskin with the quarterback of his favorite team was a dream come true.

His wish to meet the Steelers landed Nicholas on the field at the team�s summer training camp. Ben was eager to meet his star-struck fan, and they started by lounging on a cooler and chatting about the essentials of life: sports, passing distances and their mutual love of pizza. As practice wrapped up, Nicolas showed the pros a thing or two as he threw some passes with wide receiver Hines Ward, strong safety Troy Polamalu and nose tackle Casey Hampton.

Down by the locker rooms, Nicolas posed for pictures with the players as they each autographed his football. He and wide receiver Mike Wallace joked about their similar hairstyles, and tight end Heath Miller even gave Nicolas his practice gloves as a keepsake.

Nicolas left the training camp armed with his souvenirs and a thousand stories to tell his friends back home. And he�s ready to cheer the Steelers on when they hit the field for Super Bowl XLV.

Nicolas and Steelers' tight end Heath Miller show that they are not camera shy.

Read about Anna and her wish last August to meet the Green Bay Packers, which was featured as a "My Wish" segment on ESPN's SportsCenter.

I wish to play football with Mickey Mouse.

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:53:09 GMT

Mickey Mouse takes the snap and sets up Kaden, whose strong kick sent the football through the uprights.

How many children can say they�ve thrown a pigskin with Mickey Mouse? Thanks to the Walt Disney Company, one heartfelt wish and the generosity of a local college, 4-year-old Kaden can now lay claim to that honor.

And Kaden isn�t the only one who experienced pure joy when his wish came true. From Kaden�s family, to the Walt Disney World� Resort cast members, to the students and professors at Tyler Junior College who sponsored his wish, the impact of a simple football game reached far and wide.

Mom�s View from the Sidelines

Kaden�s wish to play football with Mickey Mouse was easy for him to decide because he LOVES Mickey Mouse and he LOVES football � so he just combined them and created his perfect wish.

Kaden�s favorite part of his wish was when he ran between Mickey�s legs and scored! His wish was a dream-come-true. The Make-A-Wish Foundation^® thought of everything � down to the last detail. We had the perfect weather for a football game.

When Mickey came out in his football gear, I have never seen Kaden�s eyes light up more in my entire life. It was a day we will never forget. There are not words to even begin to thank the Foundation for what they did for our family.

You are not only granting wishes � you are changing lives.

My favorite part of Kaden�s wish was meeting the college students and their professor who worked so hard to raise the funds so that Kaden could have his wish. They will probably never know how much this meant to our son, and how much it meant to us to know that there are people out there who are willing to give so much and expect nothing in return. Some people may think that the child�s wish is the most important thing � but we learned that just knowing that there were people out there who cared meant the most of all.

-- Amy, Kaden�s mom

In the Professor�s Words: Life Lessons from Granting Wishes

Our business leadership class sponsors a wish every year. We define leadership as making a positive impact on other people�s lives, so the Make-A-Wish^® project fits perfectly with the objectives of the class.

But it�s more than that � once the students meet the children they are sponsoring, they are changed forever.

They completely dedicated themselves, making huge sacrifices of time and energy to reach their goal. It changes their view of the world and of themselves. The impact goes way beyond the campus here at TJC.

-- Don Blaine, Professor of Business Management, Tyler Junior College

The Final Score

And if you were wondering, Kaden�s mom reports that he won the game � but Mickey was a great sport.

Kaden plants a kiss on Mickey Mouse for making his wish come true.

Disney is proud to be a long-time supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® and uses its magic to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Over the past 30 years, Disney has supported the Make-A-Wish^® mission, contributing more than $8 million in cash and in-kind donations each year. With more than 7,000 wishes granted every year � including visits to the Disney Parks, Disney cruises, meeting Disney characters, attending sporting events and visiting TV and movie sets � Disney-themed wishes continue to be the most popular requests by children to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Make-A-Wish� Kids Bring Superstar John Cena� Closer to 200th Wish

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 23:13:41 GMT

John always arrives with goody bags for wish kids. And often, they bring a little something for him � like a homemade championship belt from Maricruz. �It�s the best gift I�ve ever gotten from a wish kid,� John tells her.

Three Make-A-Wish kids helped Superstar John Cena^® get closer to his 200th wish during a WWE^® event at Key Arena in Seattle. Donivan, Cheyanne and Maricruz traveled from Illinois, Montana and Arizona to meet John. They gathered in a private suite for their meeting with one of the most prolific and enthusiastic celebrity wish granters in Make-A-Wish Foundation^® history.

John, a member of the Wish Ambassador Council, arrived in one of his signature �Never Give Up� shirts � and made all three wish kids feel like the center of his world.

I wish to meet Justin Bieber.

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:42:28 GMT

Monroe and her family arrived by limo at the venue where Justin Bieber�s concert would take place. Monroe had a backstage escort to meet her favorite singer. The family made themselves at home in his private trailer while they waited for the star to arrive.

Justin�s fans, waiting to catch a glimpse of the superstar, must have wondered what made five-year-old Monroe so special. They might find it hard to believe that the smiling little girl had endured months of chemotherapy. But they could definitely understand why meeting the pop star would be her one true wish.

Monroe Comes Face-to-Face With Her Teen Idol

When Justin entered the trailer, Monroe became so nervous and shy that she hid behind her mother. Justin went straight to Monroe and gave her a big hug, which put her at ease. The two chatted about Justin�s music along with their shared love for the L.A. Lakers and the color purple.

Justin presented Monroe and her sister with autographed t-shirts. He also signed another shirt of Monroe�s as well as the sisters� matching �I Met Justin Bieber� hats. Justin and Monroe had fun showing off their �model walks� in front of everyone as Monroe displayed her autographed apparel.

Justin Shares His Love of Music

When the meet-and-greet was coming to a close, Justin announced that he had something to give Monroe. Inside a huge triangular box was a brand-new Gibson guitar � just like the one Justin uses during his shows! He autographed the guitar for her, and encouraged her to learn to play it.

Finally, Justin had to say goodbye to Monroe and her family so he could get ready for the show. Monroe asked Justin�s contact person to pass on an important message that she�d forgotten to tell Justin herself � that she wanted to marry him! She received a promise that the superstar would get her message.

The family enjoyed the show from upgraded seats. As they left the concert venue, Monroe expressed her deepest gratitude and happiness to her Make-A-Wish^® escort: �Thank you! This is the bestest day in my whole life, ever. Thank you for my perfect wish.�

Additional Justin Bieber link

Justin Bieber's "Pray" music video includes four wish kids. Sydney, 12, from Brookville, Pa., Julissa, 9, from North Hollywood, Calif., Holly, 11, from Bluffton, S.C., and Kari, 16, from Colleyville, Texas, appear in the video. Watch it here.

I wish to have adaptive ski lessons.

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:50:36 GMT

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Holm grew up on the ski slopes. Her father, Dave, was always at her side. It was a time for them to bond, to enjoy being a father and daughter.

It took a rare spinal cord condition to change that. Even after being diagnosed, Sarah spent more than six years trying to overcome tethered cord syndrome. She even banned her family from using the word �disabled.�

�She skied for six years on legs she couldn�t feel,� Dave told a local newspaper.

When Sarah was 14, it seemed that the removal of part of her spinal cord would end her skiing days.

But she knew of a way she could keep skiing.

Sarah�s medical condition made her eligible for a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® . She wanted her wish granters to give her the power to ski again � and they did.

Make-A-Wish^® volunteers arranged for Sarah to visit Colorado where she�d receive adaptive ski equipment � and learn how to use it.

Sarah can�t yet do the things she used to do on the slopes. At her peak, she�d zip down slopes making only 20 turns per run. During her first weekend on the adaptive mono ski, she turned about 100 times per run.

But that doesn�t matter to Dave, who also coached Sarah.

"It was heaven to have her there skiing with me, after so many years of her crutching up and down the hill cheering her friends," he said.

One of Sarah�s instructors that weekend was the coach for the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team. He had encouraging words for Sarah. She�s already been invited to ski racing camps. She also has the possibility of racing with the national adaptive ski team to reach for.

"I feel I could go a lot further than what I thought I could do," Sarah said. "But that�s something I�d have to think about."

While the mono ski opened the future to Sarah, she spent her time focused on the moment: The sound of her edge carving packed powder, the anticipation of each day�s first run and the emotional lift of being by her father�s side on the slopes.

"It was really good to be turning down the slopes again," she said.

I wish to go to Fenway Park and throw out the first pitch.

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 23:09:08 GMT

With the Green Monster rising behind him, 12-year-old William stepped onto the mound at Fenway Park. He carried a baseball in his hand and hope in his heart.

Months ago, when doctors found a tumor growing around his heart, this moment seemed out of reach. Last October, William was diagnosed with a form of cancer called Hodgkin's lymphoma. He began weekly chemotherapy treatments and underwent surgery to remove his spleen.

Doctors Refer William for a Wish

William's team of doctors did not simply treat him physically � they also treated William's emotional well-being by referring him to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. After months of worrying about his treatments, William's mind turned to a hopeful new topic: what would his fondest wish be?

William, his twin sister and his older brother spent days imagining options for his wish. Finally, the sports-loving boy declared his choice: He wished to throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park!

On the day of his wish, William arrived at the park wearing his beloved Sox cap and a crisp new jersey. The Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Red Sox created a full day of magic, including a tour of the park and the chance to meet manager Terry Francona and ace pitcher Daisuke Matsuzuka, aka "Dice-K."

Pitching Tumor into the Past

Aside from his undying love for the Red Sox, this wish was meaningful to William for a symbolic reason: when doctors found the tumor around his heart, it was roughly the size of a baseball. When William threw the first pitch and the baseball left his hand, he would also leave a year of sickness and struggle behind him.

�This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance that I could have fun with and take my whole family on,� William told The Boston Herald. �Also, the mass in my chest was kind of like a baseball.�

When William stepped onto the mound, he was greeted by a familiar face who would serve as his catcher: famed Sox slugger David Ortiz. With 30,000 fans cheering him on, William threw a strike to Ortiz and raised his arms in victory. After a year of taking a stand against cancer, he stood as tall as a Red Sox legend.

I wish to go to the US Open.

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 23:45:48 GMT

Roger Federer�s between-the-legs return during his first-round match at the 2010 US Open is certainly one of the most memorable shots of the tennis season.
And it might be the highlight of the wish experience of 12-year-old Andrew. He probably has a hard time picking a favorite moment, though, considering what happened during his wish to attend the US Open.

Andrew�s mother, Jayna, watched as once-in-a-lifetime experiences delighted her son each day.

Andrew�s Life of Obstacles

Andrew was born with campomelic dysplasia, a rare, debilitating form of dwarfism. It affects his spine and legs, causing severe curvature of the bones. He has endured more than 20 surgeries. In addition to those challenges, Andrew was also born deaf. High-powered, surgically implanted hearing aids allow him to hear and speak.

Despite all of these obstacles, Andrew was elected mayor of his fifth-grade class. He takes tennis lessons when he can between operations.

Serving up the Perfect Wish

Andrew�s younger brother, Noah, inspired his fascination with tennis. After watching the US Open on television last year, Andrew decided it would be a perfect wish to go to New York City for one of the sport�s biggest tournaments.

On his first day, Andrew encountered Roger Federer, who has won a men�s-record 16 Grand Slam singles titles and is arguably the best male tennis player of all time.

�All of a sudden, we look up and there he is � the best player in the world bending down to shake hands with Andrew,� Jayna said.

Right after meeting Roger, Andrew got to meet �an old friend� that he had meet a few weeks earlier at the Olympus US Open Series tournament in Cincinnati where Andrew tossed the ceremonial coin before one of Rafael Nadal�s matches.

�I remember you from Cincinnati,� smiled and laughed eventual US Open Champion Rafael Nadal while waiting to hit center court for his part in Arthur Ashe Kids Day.

�You do!� remarked Andrew with a smile from ear to ear.

All day Andrew had been carrying the photo of the coin toss in hopes of seeing him. As soon as Rafa saw the photo he signed it without a second thought.

Andrew also enjoyed chance meetings with Olympic gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn, former women�s tennis player Mary Joe Fernandez and rising American star Melanie Oudin before they also made their way onto Arthur Ashe Stadium for their part in the Arthur Ashe Kids Day stadium show.

�That day, we all felt like celebrities,� Jayna said.

Andrew saw Federer and Oudin in action, along with other pros such as Venus Williams and eventual 2010 US Open Champion Kim Clijsters. When the 23,000 people in the stadium cheered Federer�s highlight-reel shot, he felt the excitement from his courtside seat.

Kindness in his Court

Jayna could see how the experience transported Andrew from his medical worries � and she was delighted that caring people were willing to give such a gift to her son.

�So thank you, Make-A-Wish Foundation and USTA, for making the dreams of one boy come true � game, set and match,� she wrote. �None of us will ever forget your kindness or generosity."