Movie audiences around the country have the chance to watch Eliza’s wish come true on the big screen. The sparkling 6-year-old told wish granters she was ready for her close-up, and Hollywood filmmakers complied by casting her as an extra in “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.”

During her 2½ years undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Eliza often talked of wanting to be in movies. Still, she spent several weeks brainstorming ideas for her perfect wish, everything from singing ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ on American Idol to being a kids Calvin Klein model.

But when she learned that the first American Girl feature film was holding open auditions, she picked up her Kit Kittredge doll and announced to her mom that she knew what she really wanted for her wish. Eliza never dreamed she would be offered her first acting job by Abigail Breslin, the star of the Kit Kittredge film, who called Eliza personally to let her know her wish was coming true.

“[The trip to Toronto for filming] was the first trip that was just for fun and just the three of us,” Eliza’s mom, Kari, said. “It was the first trip [my husband and I] didn’t have to worry about anything.”

Eliza and her family felt like VIPs before they even set foot on the movie set. The Park Hyatt hotel staff had been awaiting the little star’s arrival and had her room stocked full of treats – including a doll for Eliza.

The star treatment continued the next day on the movie set. The film crew reserved a trailer for Eliza complete with a star displaying her name. In wardrobe, Eliza got to choose the costume for her character – “a hobo girl” – and then she reluctantly agreed to let make-up artists make her face look dirty for the part.

Next, Eliza watched the film’s stars, including Breslin, Chris O’Donnell, Julia Ormond and Willow Smith, rehearse a scene. Before long, it was Eliza’s turn to be in front of the camera, filming a scene at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

“She was shy at first,” Kari said, “But she took her job really seriously and followed all the director’s instructions very closely.”

When the day of filming finally wrapped – including a close-up of Eliza that appears in the finished film – the cast and crew surprised Eliza with an American Girl Kit doll autographed by Breslin along with several other American Girl goodies.

“Kit Kittredge: An American Girl” opened in June 2008, and Eliza was invited to walk the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere. For Eliza and her family, there was double reason to celebrate: Eliza had finished her leukemia treatments just one month before.

“She had the hugest smile when she saw herself on screen,” Kari said. “Of course, I cried.”

After the premiere, Eliza returned to North Carolina for a hometown premiere of her own. A movie theater hosted a special screening, followed by Tea for Three, a fundraiser tea party for moms, daughters and their dolls. The event, in conjunction with a raffle and auction, raised more than $12,000 to grant other children’s wishes. Eliza’s family plans to make Tea For Three an annual event.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation thanks American Girl and Mattel for their continued support. Together, we have been granting wish kids’ incredible American Girl wishes for ten years!