“Picture Perfect!” That is a fitting description of Kara’s smile as she received her new camera and photography training to fulfill her wish. Chemotherapy and a recent bone marrow transplant made it difficult for 16-year-old Kara to experience her original wish of a family vacation.

So after a great deal of careful thought, she asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Utah to make her wish of being a photographer come true. With the help of Discover Financial Services, Kara not only received a state-of-the-art digital camera, filters, lighting equipment and a printer, she also received training from two professional photographers who taught her the tricks of the trade.

Before long, Kara was snapping away and capturing images that make everyone who sees them marvel at her talent. Her family and friends remain Kara’s favorite subjects, but Utah landscapes and a wide variety of other scenes have also filled her viewfinder … some of which were given to some very lucky attendees.

Kara’s mother explains how this wish has touched the whole family while providing a wonderful diversion: “She is able to put her mind in other places and think of other things. It’s been beautiful to see her excited and the light in her eyes. It just warms our heart to see the joy that has come from this.”

A picture – especially one of Kara’s – may well be worth a thousand words. But the power of a wish is best seen in the smiles of children given hope, strength and joy by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.