For Kalie, being diagnosed with sickle cell anemia means she’ll always have to be monitored and treated to manage its symptoms. She doesn’t know when the next bout of pain, infections and anemia are coming.

Though that’s a hard burden for a teenager to face, Kalie now draws on the memory of her Make-A-Wish® experience when she was 13 to stay positive and upbeat.

First Step to a Wish Come True

Dr. Jonathan Bernstein, a pediatric oncologist who treats Kalie, often refers kids like her for wishes. He’s convinced the wish experience is a positive force in the lives of kids with life-threatening medical conditions.

After he referred Kalie, wish granters visited her to learn her one true wish – to be a supermodel. Her choice wasn’t a surprise to Dr. Bernstein.

“She’s always been very stylish – and very smart!” he said.

A Taste of the Supermodel Life

Supermodel wishes are popular for many Make-A-Wish teens. Wish granters drew from their experience to create an amazing day for Kalie. Her day started with a limousine ride to her modeling lesson, followed by a trip to the studio for a photo shoot.

The enthusiastic staff at Macy’s in the Las Vegas Fashion Show Mall also readied her for the runway, helping her select several outfits for a fashion show to follow later in the day. A team of Macy’s experts also gave her a makeover.

“It was awesome to be pampered and fussed over by everyone,” Kalie said.

She even had bodyguards to keep pesky paparazzi at bay during her makeup session. Kalie didn’t let the fame go to her head, though – she took time out of her day for lunch with her friends.

Kalie’s Future Brightens

Soon, it was time for Kalie to take to the mall’s fashion runway, complete with spectacular lighting and billboard-sized video screens that showed off Kalie’s bright smile. The entire day had built up to her modeling debut, and she was thrilled by the flash of cameras and applause from her friends, family and fans.

Though her time on the runway was soon over, Michael E. Minden Diamond Jewelers presented her with a watch as a keepsake of her modeling debut. According to Kalie, everything exceeded her expectations. From the time she made her wish, she felt her spirits lift as she had something other than sickle cell anemia to think about.

“Focusing on the future was exactly the medicine I needed,” she said.

Dr. Bernstein is the first to agree. He saw that Kalie, who was always a bit shy during her visits, seemed more spirited and outgoing after her wish came true.

“She has a better outlook on life,” he said of the now 15-year-old, “and a better outlook on the future.”