Make-A-Wish Recent Wishes

I wish to have a room makeover.

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:48:36 GMT

Celeste lounges on her fuzzy beanbag, just one of the many pink accessories in her newly decorated room.

To her family and friends, 12-year-old Celeste is affectionately known as �Celery.� This young lady from Waxahachie, Texas, is full of zest for life, and thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® she now has a bedroom as bright as her personality. Pink carpet, a pink office chair, and pink walls � not just pink, Watermelon Smoothie, to be exact � greet Celeste every time she walks into her newly redone bedroom.

Celeste was diagnosed with Still�s disease when she was 3 years old. She owes much of her support and strength to her family � particularly a bone marrow transplant from her older brother. �He�s my hero,� Celeste said. �He gave me his bone marrow, so yeah, he�s a hero to me.�

Celeste wished for a room makeover because it was �something that would last for a lifetime.� She was involved with her wish from start to finish, hand-picking the paint color as well as the fuzzy pink rug, white lofted bed, pink bean bag and bedding with hearts and polka dots.

Leslie Pinson, volunteer coordinator for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas, added to the wish experience by turning it into Celeste�s Extreme Makeover: Room Edition. Celeste starred as the Design Team Leader, overseeing renovations with a checklist and a fuzzy pink clipboard. Celeste was surprised by several decorative additions to her room, including picture frames and letters of her name to hang on the wall.

�They gave her her dream,� said Celeste�s mom, Carrie. �I mean, as simple as it is � it�s a room, you know � but to her, it�s everything.� Celeste�s wide smile as she enjoyed her new room spoke volumes, but she summed up her feelings simply. �I love it,� she said.

I wish to have a red Chevy Camaro with keys and a horn that honks.

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:21:58 GMT

Miraj shares his favorite interest with his dad. They both love classic cars.

And when Miraj wished to have a car of his own, he wanted it to look just like the red Camaro Z28 his dad owns. Specifically, Miraj said he wanted a red Chevrolet Camaro �with keys and a horn that honks.� One of his wish granters described Miraj as a quiet boy who doesn�t say much but smiles a lot. �He was so cute,� she said, remembering when she first met him.

His Make-A-Wish^® volunteers got to work on finding Miraj a miniature version of his dad�s car, one fit for a 9-year-old boy to drive. To grant this four-wheeled wish, they contacted Mobileation, an Arizona company that specializes in making ride-on toys. The generous employees at Mobileation started with a standard go-kart and put in hours turning it into a battery-powered mini Camaro. Throughout the process, Miraj�s wish granters would check in with him to be sure the car matched his specifications.

The look on Miraj�s face when he received his new set of wheels and sat in the driver�s seat said it all. As Miraj�s dad watched his son take the wheel of a car identical to his own, he kept saying, �This is so cool.� And Miraj doesn�t have to worry about where to store his new car, because his wish included a shed in the backyard where he can safely park his hot ride. �He really wanted a safe place to park his car,� one of his wish granters said. �It�s Miraj�s personal little garage.�

I wish to have a bike.

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:23:17 GMT

Bruce beamed with excitement as he gazed upon his new bike.

Bruce was born with Hydrocephalus with life-threatening complications, a motor condition that causes physical disability. By the age of 11, Bruce had undergone 14 surgeries because of complications. Temporarily confined to a wheelchair, Bruce is undergoing intensive physical therapy so that one day, he can walk on his own.

Although Bruce has had to bear a lot in his young life, he doesn�t let his medical condition slow him down. He loves being active, and spending time outside. So when Make-A-Wish^® volunteers asked Bruce what he wanted if he could have anything in the world, the brave young man decided that he wanted � his own custom-made bicycle!

Bruce wished for his special three-wheeled bike so that he could have something to look forward to: a fun way to exercise and help recover from surgery.

When Bruce saw his brand new bicycle and all his friends and family cheering for him in celebration, he couldn�t hide his excitement! His jaw dropped, his arms shot to the sky and his usual bright smile quickly turned into a beaming ear-to-ear grin.

I wish to have an artificial ice rink in my backyard.

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:55:36 GMT

Alex is ready to skate another shift in his backyard hockey rink.

Eight-year-old Alex made a wish that he can keep enjoying every day � he asked for an artificial ice rink in his backyard. Now he can lace up his skates and practice his hockey skills without leaving home. But for his mother, Marcie, the real gift of the wish experience isn�t the rink itself: It�s all the time volunteers gave to bring joy to her son, who is recovering from leukemia.

A Community Rallies for Alex
�It�s astounding that strangers would give up their weekend to help us out,� Marcie said. �People are really kind and generous.�

The volunteers were youth and collegiate hockey players from near Alex�s hometown. Local businesses offered discounts on materials, and Betty Crocker^® sponsored the wish as part of its national Stirring Up Wishes 12 Wishes in 12 Weeks campaign.

Marcie said the volunteers couldn�t wait to help a fellow hockey player who was going through chemotherapy. Alex was shy when he first met them, but their shared love of hockey helped him bond with his new friends.

The hockey players spent the entire day installing a 24-by-48-foot surface, complete with a regulation hockey goal. Hours later, Alex glided onto the plastic surface.

Beating Leukemia
About a year after being diagnosed in October 2008, Alex was rapidly improving. Skating helps keep his skills and spirits up. It also helps Marcie, banishing the sadness she felt after he was diagnosed.

�It�s just heart-stopping,� Marcie said. �It�s just the worst thing that can happen.�

As Alex�s recovery progressed, his energy and bright personality returned. He loves making people laugh with a one-liner or his enthusiastic play-by-play commentary while skating. Every time he scores a goal, all his neighbors can hear his joyful celebrations.

�It feels like a miracle,� Marcie said. �Alex is getting a second chance at life, and we get a second chance to be with him.�

During spring 2009, Make-A-Wish^® supporters and Betty Crocker fans voted for their favorite Make-A-Wish chapters to receive funding for one of 12 wishes through the Stirring Up Wishes 12 Wishes in 12 Weeks campaign. Betty Crocker announced the winners and began working with the Foundation to grant these special wishes, including Alex�s.

I wish to meet Elmo.

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:23:53 GMT

Combine the largest Make-A-Wish^® fundraising event in the country with a brave little girl who loves Elmo, and you have the makings of magic.
In 2009, in conjunction with the 22nd annual Wish-A-Mile 300 bicycle tour, the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Michigan celebrated its 25th birthday and granted its 6,000th wish! The milestone wish was that of 3-year-old Amanda, who lives in West Michigan and was diagnosed with metastatic hepatoblastoma, a cancer affecting her liver.

Amanda has spent more than half of her life in a hospital, during which time she fell in love with anything and everything Elmo. �While in the hospital, all she wanted to do was hear about Elmo, watch Elmo and talk about Elmo,� said Susan Lerch, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan.

Upon hearing Amanda�s wish, Kevin Clash, Elmo�s �muppeteer,� canceled a prior engagement so he could fly to Michigan to meet Amanda. When Amanda entered the room, Elmo was waiting on the couch, waving and calling her name. Amanda ran into his arms in a flurry of astonished giggles. The pair spent the next 90 minutes singing, dancing, chatting and laughing. Elmo even called his Sesame Street friend, Abby Cadabby, to speak with Amanda on the phone.

Amanda paused every few moments of the visit to hug and kiss her new friend. �You�re fuzzy, Elmo,� Amanda said, patting his head. �I�m fuzzy too,� she added, patting her own hair, which is beginning to grow back after chemotherapy. Midway through the visit, she threw her arms around Elmo�s neck and said, �Thank you, Elmo. I love you.�

�Amanda�s wish exceeded our wildest expectations,� said her mom, Meredith. �We�re overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support and can�t thank everyone enough. Today was a day none of us will ever forget.�

Click here to view Amanda's wish video.

I wish to go to the Smithsonian Institution sites in Washington, D.C.

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:13:58 GMT

Chase and his family pause to take a picture in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Twelve-year-old Chase decided several years ago to grow his hair long enough to contribute to Locks of Love, a nonprofit that makes hairpieces for disadvantaged children who've lost their hair, usually through cancer treatments. It took two years. Within weeks of his donation, Chase, himself, was diagnosed with cancer, began chemotherapy treatments and lost his hair.

Chase loves museums, history and national monuments, having grown up listening to his grandparents� stories about how exciting history is. So, when he received his wish he decided he wanted to visit the Smithsonian Institution sites in Washington, D.C.

The six-day excursion wasn't long enough to visit all 19 of the Smithsonian museums, but Chase was most interested in the National Zoo, Air and Space Museum and the American Museum of Natural History, which included a visit to the museum's new Sant Ocean Hall, home of the new exhibit of the 330-pound giant squid specimen.

After returning, Chase said this trip was truly a celebration for winning his battle with cancer, since he received his final chemotherapy treatment just before departing on his wish!

I wish to be a rock star.

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:13:31 GMT

Omar, a driven 9-year-old from Apex, N.C., has a love for guitars and aspirations of becoming a rock star. His greatest desire is to wow a crowd with his guitar playing. But he just needs a few lessons to get his dream started.

Omar, who is diagnosed with a rare multi-system genetic condition, began his rock-star wish in style when a white limousine pulled up to his house, completely surprising him. The driver took Omar to �Locals, Guitars and Music�, where his wish granters, the store staff and good friends were waiting for him. Omar walked in to the store and laid his eyes on a brand-new cherry-red Washburn electric guitar, including everything he needed to be a rock star: amps, speakers, a guitar case, stand and eight guitar lessons. To top it all off, Omar received his very own rock-star sunglasses to finish the look.

Omar was thrilled when his journey toward mastering the six-string began. He was very attentive to his instructor, absorbing everything he could about making music with his new guitar. As soon as he got home, he played his first concert for his family. He told his mother that he wanted to thank the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® for everything its volunteers did to make his fondest wish come true.

Omar arrives in style at �Locals, Guitars and Music,� where his wish granters, family and friends were waiting to grant his rock star wish.

I wish to go to Hawaii.

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:49:05 GMT

A tropical getaway to the islands of Hawaii would be a dream come true for any girl, and 12-year-old Kasey from Michigan was no exception. After parasailing through the warm air over the blue ocean water, Kasey had just one response: �I felt like I was flying!�

For Kasey, the carefree feeling of flying over a beautiful island was especially meaningful because it allowed her to escape her daily challenges with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Kasey was diagnosed in 2006 when she was just 9 years old, and when she met with Make-A-Wish^® volunteers in 2008, she was ready with her wish. Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® and the generosity of the 2008 Macy�s Thanks for Sharing campaign, Kasey and her family were granted their tropical experience in March 2009.

Although parasailing was the highlight of Kasey�s wish, her trip also included swimming with dolphins, bodyboarding in the ocean, attending an authentic luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center and shopping at the Waikiki Flea Market. From their hotel room overlooking the ocean, Kasey and her family � which includes her parents and three older brothers � could hear the sound of people dancing and playing on the beach.

�It was everything we could have dreamed about and much more,� her mom said. �We had the most wonderful time. It gave us time to be together and forget the past, if only for a week!�

Macy�s sponsored Kasey�s wish to go to Hawaii. Learn more about Macy�s support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and how you can help.

I wish to meet Jeff Gordon.

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:02:55 GMT

Alexander is amazed by a close-up look at the #24 car.

While most 7-year-old boys are happy to play with toy cars, Alex prefers something a bit faster. He�d rather watch NASCAR drivers race bumper-to-bumper on the track.

When volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® contacted Alexander to find out his fondest wish, his thoughts turned quickly to his love of race cars. Alexander�s wish request landed him and his family at NASCAR�s Dover 400 in Delaware.

Alexander, who lives with a severe kidney disorder, spent the weeks before the May race carefully preparing a list of questions to ask the drivers he hoped to meet, including his all-time favorite, Jeff Gordon. But this enthusiastic little boy was almost rendered speechless when he saw Gordon, one of the Make-A-Wish Foundation�s most-requested celebrity wish granters, for the first time at the Monster Mile.

His mom, Lesidet, recalled, �[Alexander] just stood there for a moment with his mouth open, and then like a machine gun rattled off all his questions.�

Gordon gladly answered Alexander�s questions, telling him all about NASCAR, and then gave his new friend the chance to sit in a racecar. The two filled the afternoon with a visit to the pit and the tower, and even soda and goodies in Gordon�s traveling motor coach.

In addition to watching the Dover 400 from the front row, Alexander was able talk on the NASCAR radio station, as well as over the track loudspeaker like a real race announcer. After watching the race, Alexander again met up with his hero to take pictures with him.

Alexander�s favorite moment? �Jeff Gordon talked to me, and gave me his hat and a signed picture!� he said.

That picture now hangs in Alexander�s room, where he can see it every day and re-live his unforgettable wish experience.

I wish to meet the Jonas Brothers.

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:11:52 GMT

Kaitlyn got to travel in style - courtesy of a stretch limo.

Seven-year-old Kaitlyn was beside herself with joy when she learned her wish would come true: She was going to meet her favorite musical act, the Jonas Brothers. Much to her surprise, it turned out to be more than a simple meet-and-greet � Kaitlyn and her family got to travel from their home in New Jersey in February 2009 to watch the brothers rehearse for their performance at the Grammy Awards!

Kaitlyn, who was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, managed to forget the arduous hospital tests and medical procedures for a magical night in Hollywood. After the rehearsal, she spent time with the Jonas Brothers backstage, getting their autographs and taking pictures.

The Jonas Brothers are among the most prolific wish granting celebrities for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® , spending time with wish kids wherever they happen to be touring. While making their fans happy by sharing their musical talent, the Jonas Brothers also open their generous hearts when they share the power of a wish^® with kids with life-threatening medical conditions.