Make-A-Wish Stories - Sports

I wish to meet Annika Sorenstam.

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:33:20 GMT

Molly was a quick study and was thrilled to get some tips from her hero and new friend.

World Golf and LPGA Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam granted a wish for 14 year-old Molly Esordi of Grosse Ile, Mich. Molly, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin�s lymphoma, is an avid golfer whose wish was to �meet and play golf with Annika.� Molly and her family spent the day with Annika at the ANNIKA Academy at Ginn Reunion Resort near Orlando, Fla.

�What an honor it is that of all the things Molly could have chosen to do, she wanted to come here to meet me,� said Annika. �We share the same passion for golf and I can only hope that her being here today was inspiring to her. I know she has been inspiring to me.�

Competing for the Grosse Ile High girls� golf team in the fall, Molly earned all-league first-team honors as a freshman. She was joined in Orlando by her parents Tom and Leslie, sisters Sarah and Margaret, and brother Nicholas.

�It�s a great experience being here with Annika and I am very excited to play golf with her today,� said Molly. �I really like the Cutter & Buck outfit, the Callaway golf clubs, and the gift basket from Kraft that Annika gave to me. I am very happy that she is taking all of this time with me today. I am having a lot of fun!�

Molly and Annika celebrated after a fun day and a great round of golf.

The day�s activities included a tour of the ANNIKA Academy, lunch, one-on-one instructions from Annika and nine holes of golf on The Legacy Course at Reunion. Molly also received some gifts from Annika�s sponsors, including Callaway golf clubs, Cutter & Buck clothing from the ANNIKA Collection, a large gift basket with Kraft food items, a three-day stay at Ginn Reunion Resort, a gift package of sunglasses and clothing from Oakley and a write-up in Golf Digest publications.

Molly will serve as a guest writer on Annika�s blog, www.annikablog.com, writing about her trip and the fun she had during her day with Annika.

I wish to meet The Wiggles.

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:44:56 GMT

Wags, The Wiggles� famous dog, arrived at Carly�s doorstep and invited her to meet The Wiggles at their concert.

During her many visits to doctors� offices, 3-year-old Carly sometimes could be heard belting out her favorite songs by the hugely popular children�s entertainers The Wiggles. But few people who heard her happy voice would have guessed that she was in the middle of difficult treatments for neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder causing tumors in her nervous system.

The Wiggles and their songs helped keep Carly smiling as she endured those treatments. They also proved the inspiration for her heartfelt wish.

Of course, it was not an unexpected wish. Every day, Carly asks to wear a Wiggles shirt and a Wiggles bandana. She never goes anywhere without Anthony, her talking Wiggles doll. Her mom, Kelley, says Carly even calls Anthony her �boyfriend.�

When wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Philadelphia and Susquehanna Valley visited Carly, she told them she wanted to hug The Wiggles and tell Anthony, �I want a pawpaw!� The Australian-born Wiggles often sing about pawpaw, known as papaya in the United States.

Carly�s first surprise came a week before her wish was to be granted when Wags, The Wiggles� 7-foot dog, showed up at her home to deliver gifts and invite Carly to The Wiggles� concert.

On wish day, Carly�s adventure began with a �Wiggly Party.� Fifty well-wishers helped her celebrate with Wiggles-colored cookies and M&Ms, plus The Wiggles� signature food, fruit salad. Then, a limo (or, as Carly said, �a big car�) chauffered her to the concert.

Carly, pictured here with her siblings and Wiggles dancer Ben, knew all the words to the songs and danced in the aisles at the concert.

The Wiggles treated Carly to a meet-and-greet backstage before the show. �The expression on Carly�s face was priceless! For the first minute or so, she stood as still as a statue, just watching them, in total amazement,� Kelley said.

Carly and her family were soon fully engaged in Wiggly conversation, and she did tell Anthony, �I want a pawpaw.� He promised her that, if she ever visits Australia, he�ll have a pawpaw waiting.

During the show, Carly danced in the aisles and sang along to her favorite songs. Much to her surprise, the Wiggles introduced her and invited her onstage.

�I wondered whether or not she would understand and realize what a big deal this is, but, oh yeah, she got it and smiled from ear to ear,� her mother said.

Kelley added that the wish also meant a great deal to everyone involved, not just to Carly.

�Seeing Carly that happy was such a joy!� she wrote in a thank-you letter. �The best part of the day was when Carly turned to me in the limo and said, �Mommy, I so happy.� I�ve never heard her say anything like that before.�

By Kathryn Roethel

I wish to go swimming at the YMCA.

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:59:05 GMT

By Brent Goodrich

John and 15 of his friends made a big splash at his own personal YMCA pool party.

Whatever the sport, 13-year-old John has always loved joining in and competing with his friends. He especially likes to go swimming with his buddies at the YMCA in his Mississippi hometown.

John�s sports-filled lifestyle took a drastic turn, though, when he was diagnosed with vasculitis, a rare disease involving the inflammation of blood vessels. Because of his condition and his mother quitting work to help care for him, John had to stop making his regular visits to the YMCA.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi arrived at just the right time. When asked for his wish, John knew exactly how to make a splash � to go swimming with his friends at the YMCA.

John invited 15 of his friends and family members to join him for a dip in the pool and pizza party at the YMCA. Make-A-Wish staff members, wish granters and several volunteers from UnitedHealthcare greeted John when he arrived in a white stretch limo, and then it was off to the pool for waves of fun.

The YMCA surprised John with a five-year membership including summer camp and swimming lessons.

Before his party was done, John received a surprise that will keep his wish going for years. He was presented with a five-year family membership to the YMCA, including swimming lessons and summer camps for teenage boys. Now that�s a wish that keeps John in the swim!

The UnitedHealth Group Wishes program has been established to enable the company to grant wishes like John�s through the Make-A-Wish Foundation�s 67 chapters in the United States, Guam and Puerto Rico. UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves approximately 70 million individuals nationwide.

I wish to meet Chris Stokes, the captain of the Jamaican bobsled team.

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:59:10 GMT

When I was 12 years old, I felt like I was on top of the world. I�d just made the cheerleading squad. I�d been inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. My coach had named me the No. 1 pitcher for our softball team, and I was voted middle-school president.

My family went out for a celebration dinner. As I was sitting across from my mom with my hair pulled back and head turned, she saw a slight bulge on the side of my neck.

We went to my doctor�s office the very next day. She prescribed some antibiotics and told us to come back in a few days. At my follow-up exam, the lump had grown larger. The next thing I knew, I was lying on a cold operating room table.

I woke up at home and saw my mother�s friends crying as if someone had just died. I asked my mom what was going on. She told me the doctor said my blood looked funny, and they wanted to run some more tests.

On the last day of school in my seventh-grade year, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin�s lymphoma. Instead of having my friends sign my yearbook, I was in a fog listening to some doctor talk about cancer, chemo and surgery. Soon, I was losing weight and my hair was falling out. After months of intensive chemotherapy, excruciating spinal taps, bone marrow draws, blood transfusions, surgeries and MRIs, I was an 86-pound skeleton � and fighting for my life.

Lindsey listens in awe as Chris recounts his Olympic bobsledding story.

While enduring endless hours in the hospital, I became inspired by the true story behind the Disney movie, �Cool Runnings.� It�s about four Jamaicans who overcame enormous obstacles to achieve their dream of competing in the Winter Olympics as bobsledders.

Their triumph over adversity inspired and motivated me to conquer cancer and face the world, determined to return to living a full life.

When the Make-A-Wish Foundation ^® of Eastern Virginia offered to grant me a wish, I wished to meet Chris Stokes, the captain of that Jamaican Bobsled Team. Meeting Chris in Jamaica was a pivotal moment in my recovery.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation provided me with the chance to meet a real hero who challenged me to face everything life could throw at me with confidence, determination and commitment.

Since that meeting, I have done just that.

Since her wish, Lindsey has led a full and accomplished life. She was the first-ever youth representative on the American Cancer Society�s Relay For Life National Advisory Board and was named Miss Virginia Beach 2003. In 2006, she graduated from the College of Law at the University of Tulsa and married her law-school sweetheart. Today, Lindsey is a sponsorship marketing manager for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.

I wish to meet My Chemical Romance.

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:33:27 GMT

Sixteen-year-old Krystel had already enjoyed some surprises on her wish to meet My Chemical Romance and was excitedly awaiting the next part � seeing the dramatic, hard-rocking band perform live.

As she stood chatting with the band�s five members, they took a look at her concert tickets. Almost in unison, they began shaking their heads as if to say, �No, this won�t do.�

Instead of leading Krystel and her entourage to their assigned seats, the band � Gerard Way, Mikey Way, Frank Iero, Ray Toro and Bob Bryar � escorted them to a roped-off area where the crew would orchestrate the show�s sound and lighting. The exclusive viewpoint provided another thrill for Krystal on this amazing wish granted by the band from New York.

After being diagnosed with lymphoma, Krystal told volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia & Alabama chapter that meeting the members of My Chemical Romance was her fondest wish. In September of 2007, she was on her way to to spend some time with the band and take in one of their fiery stage performances.

Her day backstage began with dinner and a limousine ride to The Arena at Gwinnett Center for a show supporting My Chemical Romance�s third album, The Black Parade. The band�s manager met Krystel and her family and quickly lead them through the maze of security checkpoints and into the arena�s depths, just outside the dressing rooms of her favorite band. Soon, the dressing room doors opened and the band lined up to greet Krystel.

All five were eager to autograph items for her and ask questions about her favorite tunes. Lead singer Gerard Way even draped her in his black stage jacket.

�I thought Krystel was going to levitate,� a volunteer wish granter said later.

My Chemical Romance completed Krystel�s wish with a complete backstage tour, including the secret ramp where they make their entrance to start each show. Her stage-center view from the production stand gave her a great look at the band�s dynamic show. When she headed home that night in a limo, she had an evening full of incredible sights, sounds and memories hanging out with her favorite band.

By Justin Schmid

jschmid@wish.org

I wish to have a baseball field in my backyard.

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:07:11 GMT

The on-deck circle will remind everyone who plays here that Farris Field is Sam�s wish come true.

Sam, 11, lives for the smell of freshly cut grass and playing catch until the last rays of sun are gone. But neuroblastoma, a cancer affecting the nervous system, caused Sam to put his baseball career on hold.

Sam missed playing the sport he loved. But most of all, he missed his teammates. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Mid-South asked Sam about his heartfelt wish, he realized that a having a baseball field in his backyard could bring him and his teammates back together � to reunite on his field anytime he wanted.

Building a baseball field is a pricey venture, so the Make-A-Wish crew spread the word about Sam�s field of dreams, asking for volunteer support and donations. First came the helping hands of grounds crews from the University of Mississippi and Itawamba Community College. Then came donations of sod, clay, fencing, a backstop, an irrigation system and even a scoreboard.

As opening day approached for Farris Field � named in honor of Sam�s surname � the tiny town of 1,100 people was buzzing. Sam invited 18 friends to play on his team, which he named the Mantachie Muddogs. All the teammates� parents wanted to help make Sam�s day special, so they created a major-league atmosphere in Sam�s backyard with donated popcorn, soda and hot dogs.

An aerial view of Farris Field shows the standing-room-only crowd.

A local radio personality couldn�t wait to volunteer as the opening day announcer. Other neighbors volunteered to sing the national anthem and umpire the game., Sam�s pastor was eager to dedicate the field, and Sam�s doctor even traveled two hours from St. Jude Children�s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., to see her patient take the field.

Best of all was the Briarcrest Christian School junior varsity team, which also made the trip from Memphis to take the field against the Mud Dogs. For the Saints, the game against the Mud Dogs was special for many reasons. Former Briarcrest player Brandon Henson was an active supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation until he was killed in a tragic car accident in 2002. Brandon�s family sponsored Sam�s wish and arranged for the Briarcrest team to be Sam�s enthusiastic opponents.

Along with 370 cheering fans, Sam�s Mantachie Muddogs and their friendly opponents from Briarcrest School welcome the star player.

On the big day, Sam suited up in a spotless new uniform. A donated limousine � with a volunteer highway patrol escort � delivered the star player to the center-field gate where both teams were lined up to welcome him. When Sam stepped onto his new wish field, the theme song from �Rocky� blared from the donated sound system.

The crowd of friends, relatives, media and literally half the community went wild as Sam threw the first pitch to the catcher � his brother Dennis. Farris Field truly had a sellout crowd of 370 for its opening day.

By the time the happy day was over, Sam had a base hit and scored a run. The Briarcrest team�s friendly antics ensured that Sam�s team earned a resounding 11-6 victory.

Sam and his family shared their gratitude in a media interview.

�We have told everybody in the community that this is their field too, and we hope to see a lot of people out here using it. Sam is just so excited about all of this, and nothing would make him feel better,� Sam�s mom, Teresa, told reporters.

Sam�s wish received the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America�s annual Infinite Wish Award, given each year to a chapter that involved an entire community in making a child�s wish come true.

I wish to go to the �High School Musical 2� premiere.

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:26:10 GMT

By Kathryn Roethel

Lauren entered the High School Musical 2 premiere in style, traveling the blue carpet just like the stars she admires.

Fifteen-year-old Lauren knows the words to all the songs in Disney Channel�s original movie, �High School Musical.� But when her wish took her to meet the film�s cast and crew at the premiere of �High School Musical 2,� Lauren learned that her idols truly mean what they sing, �We�re all in this together.�

Lauren, who was diagnosed with ataxia ocular motor apraxia, a nervous system disorder, felt like a celebrity herself during her week-long wish in Anaheim, Calif. Her first glimpse of her small-screen heroes came at the �High School Musical 2� parade at the Disneyland� Resort. Disney provided Lauren and her family with special viewing, so she could join the chorus of thousands of screaming teenage girls during the parade. But she was about to do what most of the other fans could only dream about: enjoy a private meet-and-greet with the cast.

When Lauren entered the Napa Rose restaurant at Disney�s Grand Californian Hotel�, she was delighted to find that it had been transformed into a headquarters for East High, the musical�s school home. Lauren took her seat at a table reserved especially for her, and it wasn�t long before Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens (starring as Troy and Gabriella in the movie) were seated beside her.

�Lauren was ecstatic and smiled �til her face almost split in half,� Lauren�s dad, Brian, said.

A parade of �High School Musical� stars followed Zac and Vanessa, each stopping at Lauren�s table to chat, take pictures and sign a star-struck Lauren�s autograph book. Hudgens penned �You�re so beautiful. Rock on Girl, Vanessa Hudgens.� And Efron, Lauren�s favorite, wrote �All my love, Thanx 4 Coming.�

Director Kenny Ortega chatted with Lauren and her sister and even gave Lauren his hat from the movie.

Even Kenny Ortega, the movie�s producer, director and choreographer, visited Lauren�s table. Lauren�s dad recalled, �He was so sincere almost to the point of tears. He took off his hat and said to Lauren, �Lauren, this is the first �High School Musical 2� hat I have had, and I�m giving it to you.� Then he signed it and put it on her head.�

With the smiles from the afternoon still lighting up her face, Lauren and her family were off to the next star-studded event: the �High School Musical 2� world premiere. Lauren was invited to walk the blue carpet (blue to match the movie�s summer theme), and the throngs of fans and media cheered loudly for her, just as they did for her famous new friends.

�Tears come to my eyes when I remember that moment � that for one moment in her life she got to feel so special, that people weren�t just looking at her because she is in a wheelchair, but they were clapping and saying �Yeah Lauren!�� Brian said.

All told, Lauren counted seeing 33 stars during the �High School Musical 2� premiere and post-premiere pool party. She went home with more photos and autographs than she could count and even more wonderful memories.

Following her wish, Lauren�s parents, Brian and Jenny, wrote a thank-you note to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and conveyed their sincere gratitude to Disney. �Each Disney person expressed such compassion, from the bellman at the Paradise Pier Hotel to the senior vice president, Kerry Chandler�I was so impressed,� Brian said. �August 14 was a day that we will talk about for the rest of our lives.�

The Walt Disney Company and the cast and crew of �High School Musical 2� helped make wishes come true for 16 wish kids. Eleven kids wished to visit the movie�s set, and five, including Lauren, wished to attend the premiere. Disney Channel also created a fun and heartwarming feature about the wish kids� day on the set, which aired as part of the �Road to High School Musical 2� previews. You can watch that feature here on wish.org.

I wish to meet Gwen Stefani.

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 21:40:53 GMT

Jesse�s nerves were a little less than rock steady. He was just seconds away from meeting Gwen Stefani, the entertainer he�s idolized since he was 9 years old.

Meeting Stefani was the wish Jesse, who is diagnosed with Friedrich�s ataxia, made after a visit from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He briefly thought of traveling from his home in Rustin, La., for shopping spree in New York or Los Angeles. But those ideas wound up in the doghouse once he realized he could meet Stefani.

Gwen Stefani meets wish kid Jesse backstage.

He traveled to San Diego to meet his idol before a performance at Cox Arena in 2005. The star cleared time in her schedule to meet Jesse, 15, before going onstage during her Harajuku Lovers� Tour. her first as a solo artist.

Jesse was originally a fan of Stefani�s first band, No Doubt. He loved the upbeat, ska-drenched rock and reveled in the singer�s energetic performances. From the beginning, she was more than just a girl to him.

�Once I thought up meeting Gwen, my heart was set,� he wrote. �I guess I just liked her songs, her voice, her looks�and then just fell in love.�

The days leading up to his visit with Stefani included touring the San Diego Zoo, enjoying the beach in La Jolla and shopping at some of San Diego�s hottest stores. But he could barely think about any of that as Stefani walked into the dressing room, creating his favorite moment of the wish.

They spent about 20 minutes talking about her recording plans and things they had in common � such as their birthdays being only a day apart. After their chat, Jesse went to the front of the house for the concert.

Stefani still had a surprise for him: She invited him onstage while she performed the single �Hollaback Girl.�

�I was terrified,� he admitted, �but I had to do it.�

Being in front of more than 12,000 people was quite an experience for Jesse. But it was nowhere near as exhilarating as spending some one-on-one time with Stefani and finding out that she was every bit as gracious as he imagined she would be.

�She was absolutely what I expected her to be,� he said, �and she was just absolutely perfect.�

I wish to meet Jack Nicklaus.

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:01:48 GMT

TJ was granted his wish to meet golf great Jack Nicklaus and caddied for him during an exhibition round at Toscana Country Club in Indian Wells, California. This first-person account was written by TJ's father, Larry, in October 2006 and is posted with permission from Golden Bear International, Inc., and www.nicklaus.com.

I would like to tell you about how my family met Jack Nicklaus. My son, TJ, had his "Make-A-Wish" answered by getting to caddy for Jack for 18 holes when he played an exhibition round at Toscana in May 2006. There is not enough room on this Web site to tell you how happy this made TJ. And Jack, he made the day special for TJ. Not only did TJ carry his bag (with a little help from Tony Lentendre) and hand him his clubs, but Jack (who was miked for the audience) was heard getting distances from and thinking aloud with TJ. It was unbelievable. TJ got special white caddy overalls with "NICKLAUS" on the back which he wore proudly that day. My wife, Diane, and I walked along proudly as TJ walked stride-for-stride with Jack Nicklaus; it was like a "Make-A-Wish" for me. Jack was gracious, funny, informative and genuine. On 18, just before his birdie-putt attempt, Jack gave thanks and acknowledgements to the crowd and told TJ's story and why he was caddying. Then he told TJ to read the putt and he would hit the ball where he said. After a little discussion, the line was decided and Jack hit it where TJ read it. It dropped for a birdie, a great finish.

That weekend will live vividly in all of our memories forever. Between the Make-A-Wish Foundation people, Tony Lentendre and all of the people at Toscana it was a great trip, but the way Jack interacted with and made TJ feel is what made that day really special. TJ received his wish because he had a brain tumor back in late 2002. He went through surgery, radiation and chemo. This kid has been through a lot and he deserved this special day, and he could not have picked a better person than Jack.

Unfortunately TJ had a reoccurrence of another tumor just a few months ago and has gone through the whole thing all over again. In late August of (2006) my wife's cell phone rings and I answer it. The voice says "Hi, this is Jack Nicklaus, is TJ there?" I am somewhat shocked so I say "Yeah Jack, (like I know him) he's in his room, I'll get him, this is his dad." Jack responds "How you doing? How are you and your wife holding up?" I tell him we are doing OK as I am heading to get the phone to TJ, I say "Here he is, we were just playing golf on Playstation, Tiger Woods 2005." Jack cuts in "Tiger Woods??? Man we got to get you guys some good games!" and he laughs. I hand the phone to TJ and they talked (as we tried to listen) for about 10 minutes.

This just goes to show what kind of man Jack is. Forget about being the greatest golfer that ever lived, he's a great man. I could go on and on about that day at Toscana, but if you are a parent or a golfer, just use your imagination.

I wish to meet Oscar De La Hoya.

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:23:48 GMT

By Justin Schmid

C.J. feels the weight of wearing a boxing champion�s belt.

Photo courtesy of Rob DeLorenzo/Golden Boy Promotions

Virtually all wish kids make it through their entire experience without a scuffle breaking out. Then again, few wishes involve boxers who will square off in the ring within 24 hours.

Sixteen-year-old C.J. wished to meet his hero, Oscar De La Hoya. The boxing icon turned entrepreneur invited C.J. to attend the pre-fight weigh-in for Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright at the Mandalay Bay casino in Las Vegas. C.J., his family and his friend, David, traveled from Colorado to meet De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions staged the bout.

Though C.J. is being treated for a brain tumor and has lost sight in one eye, he still studies martial arts and kickboxing. He looks up to De La Hoya as a model of boxing excellence. And De La Hoya greeted C.J. enthusiastically, taking him up to the podium for the weigh-in. A hug from De La Hoya set the tone for the meeting, and let C.J. know his hero was thrilled to meet him, too.

De La Hoya also introduced C.J. to legendary fighters, Bernard Hopkins, Winky Wright, Sugar Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez before taking him to the weigh-in stage.

"He was speechless," said Karen White, the program services coordinator for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada.

De La Hoya delighted C.J. and all the assembled media and fans by introducing him as a wish kid before the weigh-in. Shortly after, a bit of pushing and shoving broke out between Hopkins and Wright, completing an afternoon of spectacle for C.J.

The next evening, he was at Mandalay Bay for the main event. De La Hoya escorted C.J. and his entourage to incredible seats surrounded by celebrities and high-rollers. Before the main event, De La Hoya escorted him into the ring for the pre-fight entrances of Hopkins and Wright before the first bell rang.

"C.J. was just on cloud nine the whole time," said Make-A-Wish Foundation volunteer Ed Wetzel, who was the wish escort.

Hopkins and Wright went the distance in a close, entertaining bout. Hopkins edged ahead on the judges' scorecards in the late rounds to win by unanimous decision.

For C.J., though, the real main event was not only meeting De La Hoya, but finding out that he chose his wish wisely. De La Hoya and his promotions staff showed a personal touch throughout the wish that elated C.J. Even Wetzel, who's granted many celebrity wishes, noticed how eager De La Hoya and his staff were to create an incredible experience for C.J.

"This ranks up there with some of my best celebrity wishes," Wetzel said.

I wish to meet Beezie Madden.

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:18:10 GMT

By Jen Bracken

Holly meets Beezie Madden�s horse, Authentic.

Seventeen-year-old Holly has always been fascinated with horses. Her fascination eventually led to jumping lessons and then a much loved sport. When wish granters offered to make her fondest dream come true, Holly immediately thought of horses. She wanted to meet her idol, champion show jumper and Olympic silver medalist Beezie Madden.

Holly and her mother, Candace, attended the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals, a prestigious equestrian competition in Las Vegas. There Holly watched her long-time idol compete among the world�s best show jumping horses and riders.

When Holly and her mom arrived in Las Vegas, they got a taste of some of the city�s most famous hotels and restaurants. After checking into the Monte Carlo Resort, the two hit the Las Vegas Strip. Holly could not stop smiling during her dinner at the MGM Grand�s Rainforest Caf�.

The next day marked the beginning of the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals. The plan was for Beezie Madden to make it past the preliminary trials, compete in the finals on Sunday, and then Holly would be able to follow her idol throughout the competition. But Beezie fell off her horse after nine of the 12 jumps in the first event, disqualifying her for the rest of the finals.

The news wasn�t all bad, however. As a result of the competition, Holly and her mom enjoyed lunch with Beezie and her family on Friday. That afternoon, Beezie invited Holly to the stables, where she met Holly to her horse, Authentic. Holly could hardly contain her excitement. Beezie then took her around the stable area and introduced her to some of the other riders still competing.

After the rest of the finals, Holly left Las Vegas tired from the long weekend, but eager to go home and tell her friends and family about her unforgettable experience. She knew this would be a long-lasting memory!

I wish to renovate my high school�s baseball field.

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:38:25 GMT

When Colton was diagnosed with Ewing�s sarcoma in 2006, people in his community made one thing clear: He wouldn�t have to face the disease alone.

His teammates from the South Whidbey High School Falcons baseball team shaved their heads in support. Another teammate volunteered to DJ at a dance to raise money for Colton�s treatment. Other people from the community organized dunk tank fundraisers and fairs to provide a laptop for Colton so he could keep up in school.

Colton, now 16 and in remission from the rare form of cancer, didn�t forget those who helped him. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska, Montana, Northern Idaho and Washington offered to grant his one true wish, he chose a wish that would benefit his community: a complete renovation of his high school�s baseball field.

While the team took pride in its field, the school did not have the funds to update aged bleachers weathered by the frequent rains, purchase tarps to protect the infield, erect new fencing and make long-needed improvements to the batting cages and bullpens.

�I�ve been on a cruise, and I�ve been to Disneyland,� he told his local newspaper. �This would be way cooler than any trip, and it will last longer.�

When the Foundation spread the word of Colton�s amazing wish, people in his community of Langley and beyond wanted to help. By the end of the 2006-07 school year, local businesses and communities donated baseball equipment, new bleachers, weighted tarps and artificial turf for the batting cages and other areas. Jewelers for Children, a national organization of jewelers that supports children�s charities, also helped make Colton�s dream come true with a $6,500 donation. Barbara Walker, a member of the Pacific Northwest Jewelers Association and JFC supporter, also found local contractors willing to donate services and helped organize the June 2007 public unveiling of Colton�s wish.

Teammates, news reporters, volunteers and other supporters gathered to watch Colton throw out the ceremonial first pitch. His Falcons teammates were also thrilled to play an inning under the lights for the crowd. After the inning, the team invited the 300 people who attended to tour the field and practice facilities.

The night certainly had Colton excited to play ball again, and he�s in physical therapy to strengthen his leg so he can take his place in the varsity lineup. When he was diagnosed, he was batting .400 as a catcher on the junior varsity team.

Walker represented JFC at the event, presenting Colton with a watch as a keepsake of the baseball field�s debut.

�Being involved with this wish gave me a real opportunity to see a community bond,� Walker said. �Colton remembered all the support from his friends and neighbors, and he did something wonderful in sharing his wish with each of them. This just proves how a wish creates magic.�

Jewelers for Children is a nonprofit organization created by the jewelry industry to raise money for children�s charities. Since 1999, JFC has helped the Make-A-Wish Foundation grant more than 900 wishes to courageous children nationwide. JFC has also pledged $1 million to the Foundation for the 2008 fiscal year to support wish-granting efforts.

I wish to be a character in my favorite cartoon.

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 23:10:29 GMT

Katelin �toons� in to voice a character in Disney�s Kim Possible

By Kathryn Roethel

Katelin became an official �Kim Possible� character along with the show�s stars Will Friedle and Christy Carlson Romano.

As 7-year-old Katelin knows, when you�re a character in a cartoon, nothing in life is impossible. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Oregon offered to make Katelin�s fondest wish come true, she drew upon her favorite superhero � Kim, from Disney Channel�s animated series �Kim Possible.�

For Katelin, �Kim Possible� is more than a TV show. Not only does she play �Kim Possible� with her friends at recess, she also dressed as Kim Possible last Halloween and even wrote a book titled �Katelin Possible� for a school project.

So imagine Katelin�s excitement when her wish granters revealed that her wish to become a character in an episode of the cartoon was coming true! Katelin knew she and Kim were going to be drawn together, but what she didn�t know was that Disney employees were already working behind the scenes to make her wish unforgettable and that she was about to spend the afternoon with the �real� Kim � actress Christy Carlson Romano.

Katelin�s animated day began with a visit to Disney's �Kim Possible� production studio. There she met the people who bring Kim to life: the show�s director, producer and animators. To Katelin�s delight, animators unveiled designs of a character they created in her likeness, the one she would be taping the voice for later that afternoon. The designers had two framed drawings of animated Katelin � one they autographed for her to take home, and another they kept to hang on their studio wall right next to a framed photo of the real Katelin. The �Kim Possible� crew also gave Katelin a VIP tour of the studio and taught her a few tricks of the trade. Before she left, they named her an honorary cast member and promised that her photos would serve as an inspiration for Disney artists as they worked on future episodes.

At the recording studio, cast and crew showered Katelin with �Kim Possible� gifts to commemorate her big day.

Afterward, a private limo waited to ferry Katelin to the professional recording studio where she would record the voice for her character. But she wouldn�t be alone for the session. She was joined by Christy, the voice of Kim Possible, and Will Friedle, the voice of Ron Stoppable. When the two walked in the studio door, Katelin beamed with a smile bigger than any animator could have drawn. Christy and Will gave Katelin their best recording tips and told her jokes to keep her laughing and relaxed before the taping.

After a few rehearsals, Katelin had her lines down like a pro. It only took her two takes to record her part � prompting some enthusiastic praise from Christy and Will. Katelin�s family listened in and proudly waved to their star through the control-booth window. The �Kim Possible� stars then completed the day by giving Katelin an autographed Rufus doll, Ron Stoppable�s pet mole rat on the cartoon.

By the end of the day, Katelin had cemented her place as a member of the �Kim Possible� cast and enjoyed an experience beyond her expectations. Her wish was complete when her Kim Possible episode aired on Disney Channel. Viewers heard Kim tell Katelin�s character what the young star already knew, �Anything is possible.�^®

I wish to meet Jeff Gordon.

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:58:37 GMT

Make-A-Wish^® Kid Bowled Over by Jeff Gordon Wish at Brickyard

By Justin Schmid

Spectators at the 2006 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard race might have wondered who was riding with Jeff Gordon in the Chevrolet pickup truck taking the champion racer to his car. Maybe they thought 11-year-old Derek was Gordon�s prot�g�e, an up-and-coming racer being primed for future glory on the track.

Racing might be in Derek�s future, but on that July day he was the latest in the long list of kids Jeff Gordon has delighted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® . Watching Gordon aim for another victory was just one part of an incredible weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that amazed Derek, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Derek�s wish experience started with a trip from his home in Nebraska to Indianapolis. Things got rolling quickly when Derek and his family attended the Jeff Gordon Bowling Tournament, where he first met Gordon and started his autograph collection. The next day was a special treat for Derek and many other wish kids like him � it was Make-A-Wish^® Kids Day at the famous track known as the Brickyard. Derek and the other wish kids spent a morning taking a tour of the track�s garage before joining Gordon for a meet-and-greet. The day wrapped up with a special reception hosted by Chevrolet.

And then it was Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!

In the motor sports world, that�s race day. Derek�s day started with a police-escorted bus ride to the speedway. He then was invited into a yellow Allstate Corvette pace car to take a lap around the historic 2�-mile oval. Before the green flag, Derek had time to join a driver�s Q & A session at the Revolution Stage. There, Derek was able to get autographs from other NASCAR Nextel Cup stars.

Race time was approaching, and Derek was lucky enough to ride with Gordon around the track in the Chevy truck. After waving to all the nearly 250,000 fans who�d packed the Brickyard, Derek returned to the GM suite to watch some racing.

�What an unbelievable experience!� said Derek�s dad, Darin.

The entire family could see Gordon�s desire to create an amazing experience for Derek, from the first meeting at the bowling tournament to the lap around the storied speedway�s track. From the first handshake to the checkered flag, it was a weekend that put Derek in the winner�s circle.

For four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, victory lane is the place where hard work, determination and experience have combined for an amazing number of wins. Off the track, Jeff seeks to help children and their families gain their own victories over chronic and often debilitating illnesses through the work of The Jeff Gordon Foundation.

This Foundation, established in 1999, primarily provides support for their designated charities including the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® . The Jeff Gordon Foundation also offers support to charitable organizations through the Foundation�s Grant Program.

# # #

I wish to meet Tim McGraw.

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:47:27 GMT

By Kathryn Roethel

Tim McGraw made Taylor feel like the star of the show as he performed one of his recent hits, �My Little Girl.�

The concert crowd was all smiles as country music star Tim McGraw sang the final refrain of his 2006 hit �Last Dollar.� But none could compete with the smile of one particular girl sitting right next to the stage; McGraw was holding the microphone in one hand and holding hers in the other.

That girl, 11-year-old Taylor, is quick to share that McGraw has been her favorite singer for �a long time.� And when spina bifida made her eligible to receive a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation� of Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, she decided that she wanted to meet the country idol she �just loves.�

The path to Taylor�s wish began at her elementary school cafeteria in Bryan, Texas, where her classmates waved hand-painted signs and cheered her on, and a construction-paper red carpet just for her lined the floor. Principal Marilyn Rosas surprised Taylor by reading from a letter with a famous signature.

�Hi Taylor, this is Tim McGraw. I'm looking forward to meeting you in New York next week, and I understand you are a big fan and I can't wait to sing to you.�

Fortunately for Taylor, the wait wasn�t long. Less than a week later, she was on her way to meet the superstar live on ABC�s �Good Morning America.� Taylor�s wish and McGraw�s appearance on the morning show were all part of the kickoff for �Share the Joy,� a cause campaign created by LAY�S� brand potato chips to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

�Good Morning America� anchor Robin Roberts introduced Taylor to McGraw live on the air, and Taylor looked right at home in spotlight. She politely asked if she could call the star by his first name, and McGraw laughingly agreed.

Taylor sang along to all her favorite songs during the concert and beamed from her front-stage seat.

Taylor had the best seat in the studio during McGraw�s �GMA� appearance and the 30-minute private concert that followed, grinning, clapping and singing along with the McGraw tunes she knew so well. Taylor�s face showed her happiness when McGraw took her hand and starting singing the chorus of �Last Dollar� directly to her, and she flashed him the thumbs-up sign during his sentimental hit, �My Little Girl.�

After the show, Taylor was able to chat one-on-one with her new friend. She presented McGraw with a gold medal she had won in a Special Olympics wheelchair race, and he had a gift for her as well: an autographed advance copy of his new CD, which was to be released two weeks later.

At the end of her amazing wish, Taylor had several autographed souvenirs, photos and memories to take home. And as her hero sings, �The heart don�t forget something like that.�

I wish to ... meet Jeff Gordon

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:52:29 GMT

Johnny gets a look behind the wheel of Jeff Gordon's #24 car.

There�s nothing Johnny Mazza likes more than making things go fast. Whether it�s his electric scooter or just the family vacuum cleaner, he wants to make it go faster.

So imagine his delight when NASCAR superstar Jeff Gordon made him his crew chief for the day. Johnny, 11, had a lung transplant when he was just 10 months old. He still goes through treatments to stay healthy, and he has to make regular visits to doctors. Gordon granted Johnny�s wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation�.

Through his Jeff Gordon Foundation, the four-time NASCAR champion has granted the wishes of nearly 200 wish kids. He creates incredible experiences complete with personal visits and souvenirs such as a team hat, an official �I met Jeff Gordon� T-shirt designed specially for each wish kid and a commemorative gold coin.

Johnny gets an autograph furing his tour with NASCAR icon Jeff Gordon.

Johnny�s experience started with Gordon leading him on a tour of the Hendrick Motorsports Garage in Charlotte, N.C. There, he saw Gordon�s #24 car. Gordon astounded Johnny by firing up the car�s engine. He also slid Johnny into the driver�s seat.

�It�s not the softest, most comfortable ride in the world, is it?� Gordon asked Johnny. �All for speed, as long as it goes fast!�

Two days later, Johnny then got to watch his first-ever live NASCAR event as Gordon took the track during the Coca-Cola 600.

According to David Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, Gordon was a perfect choice for the �My Wish� series. He�s a prolific wish granter who also donates generously each year.

�Jeff Gordon spends virtually every weekend granting a wish,� Williams told reporters. �He�s amazing.�

ESPN�s SportsCenter chose Johnny�s amazing wish to be featured as part of its highly popular �My Wish� series in July 2006. The series, sponsored by Disney, chronicled the stories of 10 wish kids as they were granted their sports-related wishes by some of the sports world�s biggest names.

The Foundation established in 1999 primarily provides support for their designated charities, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society�, The Make-A-Wish Foundation�, Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana, The Marrow Foundation� (which includes the Hendrick Marrow Program), and Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital at NorthEast Medical Center in Concord, N.C. The Foundation also offers support to other charitable organizations through the Foundation�s Grant Program.

By Justin Schmid

I wish to meet the Cheetah Girls

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 21:49:31 GMT

If 7-year-old Amber�s favorite band, Disney�s Cheetah Girls, ever need an understudy, she�ll be ready to race in and do her part.

Amber and Kiely Williams (The Cheetah Girls� Aqua) show off their moves.

Amber, who was diagnosed with leukemia, knows every word to every Cheetah Girls song and every step to every Cheetah Girls dance. She brightened her hospital stays by watching the �Cheetah Girls� movie and listening to the girl group�s music over and over. She even owns a Cheetah Girls outfit. So, when Amber wished to meet her idols, Disney made sure the wish hit all the right notes.

�The Cheetah Girls,� a Disney Channel original movie that debuted in August 2003, is the story of friends who form a band and eventually achieve their dream of making it big in the music scene. The film and its characters proved so popular that Disney released a sequel, �Cheetah Girls 2� in August 2006. Disney has been one of the Make-A-Wish Foundation�s biggest friends and supporters since the Foundation�s beginnings, granting more than 50,000 wishes to date.

With the help of wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia, Amber�s rockin� wish began at a place known for making millions of wishes come true: the Disneyland� Resort. Upon her arrival, Amber knew � as her favorite band sings � �The Party�s Just Begun.�

Amber and her family received free tickets to the theme park and got to cheer the Cheetah Girls from VIP seats at their Disneyland concert. Not only did Amber receive celebrity treatment, she was seated next to real-life celebs: comedian Wayne Brady and actress Catherine Bach, who played Daisy Duke in the original �Dukes of Hazard� television series. Both Wayne and Catherine greeted Amber and added their autographs to her star-studded wish.

Amber, 7, flashes a wild smile with her favorite band, Disney�s Cheetah Girls.

Amber stood on her father�s shoulders during the concert to get the best possible view of her idols. She sang along with them and showed of her own dance moves for those sitting around her. When the concert was over, a royal dinner awaited Amber and her family at Ariel�s Grotto restaurant. Amber was joined by all the Disney Princesses for a hamburger feast, and each eagerly posed for pictures and signed autographs for Amber � the true princess of the day.

After dinner, the Cheetah Girls invited Amber to watch them film a taping of Disney Channel's "Disney 365," where they answered questions and told stories about the fun they had filming the new movie. Amber loved being right there to hear the inside scoop from the girls she idolized on TV.

After the Cheetah Girls finished their work day, it was time to play. Amber laughed her way through a flurry of photographs and autographs with the fabulous trio, and then it was off to take in the sights and sounds of the Disneyland theme park � even riding the Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue ride � with her famous new friends.

When Amber�s Disney day ended, she took home a bag full of autographed Cheetah Girls souvenirs, including the �Cheetah Girls 2� soundtrack, which had not yet been released in stores. Amber left the theme park with a huge smile, taking advice from another of her favorite Cheetah Girls songs, �Cherish the Moment.�

I wish to be an orchestra conductor

Thu, 24 Aug 2006 03:47:16 GMT

When 6-year-old Tyre learned his wish would be granted, it was music to his ears. As one of classical music�s littlest fans, Tyre loved watching orchestras perform and listening to the melodies they made.

Tyre studies his music as orchestra members await their new conductor

And most of all, he loved keeping time with the person in charge of the music: the conductor. For his wish, Tyre wanted to wave the baton himself � and conduct a real orchestra at a live performance.

Tyre, who was born with spina bifida, often walks around his house conducting music with a wooden chopstick � or as he called it, his �inductor stick.� With the help of wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Mexico and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona, Tyre would soon be able to put all that practice to good use.

After a send-off party where he received a light-up baton, Tyre and his family were off to Arizona. The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra was performing the �People�s Pops Concert Series,� and the musicians were anxious to meet their official guest conductor.

Tyre and Phoenix Symphony Orchestra Conductor Robert Moody help the orchestra hit all the right notes in rehearsal

Tyre put the orchestra through a rigorous rehearsal at Symphony Hall, and he received some professional tips � and a real baton � from conductor Robert Moody. He also took a VIP backstage tour in preparation for his big show. A natural leader, Tyre was even directing the local media when they came to cover his rehearsal, telling a cameraman to �point that at me!�

Before the curtain rose the next day, Tyre took some time to relax with a trip to the Phoenix Zoo and visits with Arizona family members. But when it was show time, he was ready to roll, looking regal in his tuxedo and arriving at Symphony Hall in a limousine.

Tyre enjoyed most of the orchestra�s performance from some of the best seats in the house, but when it came time for the show�s finale, the stage belonged to him.

Tyre proudly shows off his �inductor stick� and the autographed copy of his score, �Stars and Stripes Forever"

The orchestra hit every note of the John Phillip Sousa classic, �Stars and Stripes Forever,� and at Tyre�s direction, the music swelled to a big crescendo finish.

The audience fell in love with the little conductor, honoring him with two standing ovations. The proud musicians presented their new director with a �Stars and Stripes Forever� score signed by each of them.

The curtain finally fell on Tyre�s symphony debut, and the day ended with echoes of thunderous applause. The magic certainly was in the music � and in the young conductor who brought it to life.

I wish to go to the NBA All-Star Weekend.

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 21:25:30 GMT

Seventeen-year-old Robert�s favorite sport is pro basketball. As a matter of fact, wish granters with the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of North Texas say he loves it. When the teen was considering a wish from the North Texas chapter, he contemplated a meeting with Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson, but then he began to think strategically. Instead, he decided he wanted to meet all the players at the 2003 NBA All-Star Weekend.

With sponsorship from Jewelers Charity Fund for Children, Robert brought best buddy William, mom Demaris, and aunt Patricia to Atlanta for the all-star activities. One of their first experiences was discovering that world-famous Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O�Neal was staying at their hotel and eating in the coffee shop!

The group had numerous activities to take in during the NBA All-Star Weekend, with the first one being the NBA All-Star Jam Session. There at the Georgia World Congress Center, Robert and William obtained autographs and could dunk basketballs, shoot free throws, jump on trampolines, create trading cards, test their trivia, and much more. They also took in the Got Milk? Rookie Challenge game, the 989 Sports Skills Challenge, and the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk competition. The awestruck teens report they were amazed to see the NBA athletes fly through the air during the dunk contest, which was eventually won by two-time victor Jason Richardson.

Robert with Kobe Bryant

Finally, Sunday arrived and that meant the culmination of the NBA All-Star Weekend�the 52nd All-Star Game. The family watched as stars and celebrities entered Philips Arena. Robert�s greatest wish came true as the basketball players came out to meet the family and sign autographs. The ecstatic young fan collected signatures, took pictures, and talked to the players. When it came time for tipoff, he went to his suite.

In one of the final surprises of the night, the family�s suite happened to be next to entertainer Mariah Carey, who had just finished singing the national anthem. The singer graciously posed for pictures with William and Robert. She also sang her hit �Hero� during a tribute to superstar Michael Jordan.

The basketball game capped off a magical weekend for wish kid Robert. The West squad beat the East, 155-145, in Jordan�s last All-Star Game. Jordan turned the game into a historical event by becoming the All-Star Game�s all-time leading scorer when he finished with 20 points. Looking back, Robert felt that the weekend was everything he could have asked for and more.

I wish to go to the Super Bowl in San Diego, Calif.

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 21:04:04 GMT

Seventeen-year-old David has been watching football and playing sports for as long as he can remember. After he was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition, sports became an escape from the effects. He explained, �You just get so entranced in what�s going on that you just forget about everything else.� With a mind so focused on athletics, wish granters with the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of North Texas were probably not surprised to learn that his ultimate dream was to attend Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego, California.

Surprises, though, were in store for David and his family. The night before they left for San Diego and after a day of medical testing, wish granters treated the family to a surprise send-off party in Dallas. Two Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders greeted the teen as he entered the host hotel, where he found a table filled with cake and presents. David�s bon-voyage gifts for his Super Bowl trip included an autographed football enclosed in a case, a coach�s jacket from the San Diego Chargers (his favorite team), hats, T-shirts, cameras and more.

With the wish experience already beginning, the family left for the Golden State. Their first adventure came at the NFL Experience, where David received the VIP treatment with personal escorts. Said David, �I didn�t even have to wait in line for autographs!� The fun included the aforementioned autograph sessions, interviews, video games, coaches chats, souvenirs and a private meet-and-greet with NFL celebrities.

Before long, Super Bowl Sunday arrived, and the family headed over to San Diego�s Qualcomm Stadium. David rooted for the underdog Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Oakland Raiders. The Bucs pulled off a victory, much to the delight of their Make-A-Wish^® fan, 48-21.

The next night, a hoarse David arrived back in Texas. In an act of joy, he spread all of his souvenirs around him on the floor. Remembering the experience, his mother offered appreciation, saying, �We want to thank you personally for helping our son David have a great wish come true. The Super Bowl was the crowning moment of his life.�

Nine Make-A-Wish kids and their families will follow in David�s footsteps by attending Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas, on Feb. 1, 2004. In addition to cheering on professional football�s top two teams, the children will be welcomed with a pizza party in Houston and will attend the NFL Experience.