Wish of the Week – Three Special Kids
June 14, 2014 by admin
Filed under Wish of the week
By MWF
June. 14, 2014
Back in October, 8-year-old Nova, who has cystic fibrosis, lived her wish to be a rock star. Make-A-Wish America board member Kevin O’Toole helped her compose “Someday,” an anthem about her rock-star dreams. Nova also starred in a video for “Someday.” More than 200 volunteers stepped forward to help grant her wish.
Next, we have Addy, who wished to be a pop star. She was diagnosed with cancer when she was 4 years old. Today, she’s 5 … and it’s music that keeps her inspired to stay strong. Her wish gave her a starring role in a video as she sang her favorite song. She hit the front page of wish.org in a flash of purple, and also appeared on websites nationwide, including US Weekly.
And today, we’re just starting to hear about 17-year-old Kiley’s wish to go perform with the Boston Pops. Her wish included a private lesson with one of the Pops musicians. Kiley plays the piccolo, and is diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. I hope to share more about Kiley’s wish in the future. (A colleague pointed out that today is also Kiley Minogue’s birthday … coincidence?)
Source: Make a Wish Foundation
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Wish of the week – Allison
November 15, 2009 by Kim
Filed under Wish of the week
By MWF/PIO
November 15, 2009
Eight-year-old Allison wished for a cruise that she could share with her parents and three siblings who help her stay strong in her battle with leukemia. What she got was a voyage to paradise aboard the Carnival Freedom with many extra special stops along the way.
Allison took full advantage of each port starting with her bus tour of Old San Juan, where she saw beautiful cathedrals and architecture. In St. Thomas, she boarded the Skyride to Paradise Point 700 feet above sea level to catch some panoramic views of the harbor and lots of cruise ships.
In Antigua, Allison and her family headed to Runaway Beach for some fun in the sun – swimming, watching crabs and just digging their toes in the soft sand. Tortola offered Allison and her family more breathtaking views during their tour of the island. Lastly, Allison headed to the Bahamas for a day at the Atlantis Resort.
When she wasn’t island hopping, Allison was enjoying VIP perks on the ship. From a “Bon Voyage” party to milk and cookies in her cabin nightly and the discovery of different towel animals on her bed each day (she liked the orangutan the best), it was an adventure like no other!
Referred by: her mother
Wish Granters: Yenisse Alonso & Richard Kelly
Sponsored by: Lennar Corporation
Source: Make A Wish Foundation
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Wish of the week – Jonathan
November 6, 2009 by Kim
Filed under Wish of the week
By MWF/PIO
November 6, 2009
Sixteen-year-old Jonathan’s biggest passion in life is music. He is a budding musician who plays in a Christian hip hop band. He also writes his own music but used to have to rent space when he wants to record anything. Jonathan’s ultimate wish was to have a home recording studio with everything necessary to create songs whenever he is inspired. Anxious to fulfill his lifelong dream, he hardly slept on the eve of his musical shopping spree.
The Guitar Center in West Palm Beach was a musician’s playground for Jonathan who was in his element, playing different instruments and jamming with others in the store. With a little help from a personal shopper, he scoured the aisles like an expert, knowing exactly what equipment he needed to produce music on his own. From a notebook computer with a CD recorder and a 12-channel mixer to ProTools recording software, microphones and isolation headphones, he got it all. He also stocked up on guitar hook-ups, a computer desk, all the necessary cables and some acoustic foam to help soundproof his bedroom walls. An ecstatic Jonathan thanked everyone in the store and kept exclaiming “Wow!” During the limousine ride home, he said, “Everything I want to do with my life revolves around music and this studio would have taken years for me to put together. Getting it all in one day was a dream come true.”
Referred by: Miami Children’s Hospital
Adopted by: Brickell Motors
Wish Granters: Kathy Young & Erin Mulcahy
Source: Make A Wish Foundation
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Wish of the week – Jordan
October 28, 2009 by Kim
Filed under Wish of the week
By MWF/PIO
October 28, 2009
Like many kids his age, 10-year-old Jordan, who is battling an immune deficiency, loves video games (especially Pokemon). But his fascination is not just about playing video games, it’s also how they are developed. His wish to visit Nintendo of America Headquarters was a serious gamer’s dream come true!
The aspiring video game designer and his family headed to Seattle, Washington for an insider’s look at the world of video games. Jordan met with Nintendo programmers and developers, who played video games with him and his brother in the employee lounge. Then it was time to meet his idol – Reggie Fils-Aime, the President of Nintendo of America.
According to Jordan’s mother, Reggie made a huge impact on him. She said, “Reggie talked, laughed and interacted with Jordan at his level and he was blown away by that.” The pair ate lunch together in Café Mario, where it was no coincidence that Jordan’s favorite meal – fettuccine alfredo – was on the menu that day. Jordan even challenged Reggie to a game of “Mario Kart” and won by one point!
Jordan brought his damaged Nintendo DS, which was held together with duct tape, so it could be repaired. Instead, Nintendo presented him with a new one and lots of other Nintendo loot. He and his family had a fun time going through the games, caps, t-shirts and action figures on their limo ride back to the hotel. There was one last surprise in store for him – a copy of the new Pokemon Platinum video game arrived at his Hollywood home a few days before it was available to the public. It was signed by several of the game developers.
Of the entire wish experience, Jordan’s mother said, “Jordan was spinning. He felt like a superstar.”
Wish Granters: Michele Primeau & Mindy Taran
Referred by: his mother
Sponsored by: Trafalgar Capital Advisors, Inc
Source Make A Wish Foundation
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@goldcoastchronicle.com
Wish of the week – Paul
October 25, 2009 by Kim
Filed under Wish of the week
By MWF/PIO
October 25, 2009
Growing up in South Florida, Paul had never seen snow. Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont was the idyllic setting for this 6-year-old’s snowy escape from his battle with leukemia. With a sleek limousine ride to the airport, Paul and his family were off to a winter wonderland.
Paul was astonished to see his accommodations at the Smugglers’ Notch Resort. His luxurious mountainside condo was equipped with a jacuzzi tub, fireplace and balcony. He and his family suited up in cozy winter gear and headed to the mountain for their very first ski lessons. According to his mother, Paul was a natural who also loved riding the ski lift.
There were plenty of chilly adventures including nighttime tube sledding, a sleigh ride, making snow angels and visits to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory and the Ben and Jerry’s Factory. As he and his family woke up on the last day of the trip, they were treated to falling snowflakes that seemed to follow them everywhere they went. The highlight for Paul was hitting the slopes – it’s something he always wanted to do. His mother said, “He skied so effortlessly, so happy, so free of any thoughts of hospitals, needles or treatments.”
Wish Granters: Tanju Comert & Sheilagh Mylott
Referred by: his mother
Wish adopted by: Lorber Charitable Fund
Source Make A Wish Foundation
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@goldcoastchronicle.com
Wish of the week – Eric
October 16, 2009 by Kim
Filed under Wish of the week
By MWF/PIO
October 16, 2009
Six-year-old Eric is battling the hardships of diabetes and an immune deficiency. His family describes him as bubbly, social and resilient. He loves everything about horses and especially loves bull riding – he even hopes to one day become a bull rider. When volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation visited Eric to determine what his wish would be, they were not surprised when Eric continuously brought the conversation back to riding bulls and riding horses. Before they knew it, Eric decided that visiting Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona would be his ultimate adventure. His family researched everything about the region before they left on their trip so they wouldn’t miss a thing.
Eric and his family spent five action-packed days exploring what the Grand Canyon has to offer. They stayed inside the park so they could experience it all! Eric’s schedule was robust – he took a helicopter tour (during which Eric was described as “awestruck”), visited a lighthouse, Navajo reservation, 800-year-old ruins, a volcano. As a bonus, he saw 5 inches of snow! One evening, prior to participating in an authentic hayride, they built a campfire, roasted hot dogs, and made s’mores. The sunsets were described as “incredible.”
The biggest highlight of his trip was when Eric went horseback riding by himself for the first time. He was so brave and proud to be riding without assistance!
His mother said, “We saw everything imaginable from gorgeous terrain, moose, cactus, desert, mountains, the Canyon and the Colorado River. He was feeling wonderful and enjoyed every second. It was a wish come true for Eric.”
Referred by: Visiting Nurse Association of Florida
Adopted by: Glantz and Glantz
Wish Granters: Melissa and Nicole Cunzo
Source Make A Wish Foundation
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Wish of the week – Chris
October 11, 2009 by Kim
Filed under Wish of the week
By MWF/PIO
October 9, 2009
To a 6-year-old who loves toys, what could be more thrilling than a trip to Toys“R”Us? How about a shopping spree at Toys“R”Us with Geoffrey the Giraffe by your side and lots of other special perks! Chris, who has cerebral palsy, was blown away by his over-the-top experience that featured limousine transportation, a personal shopper and VIP status.
As his limo pulled up in front of the local Toys“R”Us store, Chris received a warm welcome from cheering store employees that were holding banners and balloons. It was a thrilling feeling when he got to hold all the money that he would be spending that day. He thought his day could not get any better but there was one more super-sized surprise for Chris – Geoffrey the Giraffe was there to escort him through every inch of the store. Together, they walked hand-in-hand as Chris scooped up everything on his list including a PlayStation 3 game console and a bunch of games, a guitar, a camera and his very own television.
Since he could not take Geoffrey home with him, Chris happily settled for a miniature version of his favorite giraffe. He left the store with several shopping bags and a huge appetite so he and his family headed to his favorite restaurant, the Big Cheese. It was the perfect after-shopping destination for Chris and his family to feast on what he called, “the best pizza I’ve ever eaten!”
Wish Granters: Ben Eisenberg & Michael Rose
Referred by: his home nurse
Adopted by: Mr. & Mrs. William Heffernan
Source Make A Wish Foundation
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Wish of the Week – Maggie
October 1, 2009 by Kim
Filed under Wish of the week
By MWF/PIO
Sept.29. 2009
Greeted with a fragrant lei and a friendly “Aloha,” 10-year-old Maggie from Boynton Beach felt right at home during her wish trip to Hawaii. It was her ideal wish because of her love of the outdoors and her desire to have fun with her family. There’s so much to do and see in Honolulu and Maggie, who is battling leukemia, tried her hardest to do it all.
There was time for plenty of water activities including snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, with its horseshoe-shaped beach lined with mountains. To make her swim even more special, a turtle poked its head out to say aloha. She and her father also took a private surf lesson with the Hawaiian Fire Surf School at Kalaeloa Beach where the waves are tame enough for beginners to tackle.
At a traditional luau, Maggie and her family learned the hula, played island games and made their own leis. Maggie got a turtle painted on her arm and tasted the local specialty called poi. She had one word for the paste-like Polynesian favorite – “Eck!”
Having studied Hawaii in school, Maggie revisited her history class with a tour of the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor. She even trekked to the top of Diamond Head, a dormant volcano, that she said is “like a crater.” She took a bus tour of Oahu, where she saw lots of breathtaking mountain and water views.
Maggie’s mother said, “It was a fantastic time for our whole family. Maggie had a ball every day.”
Wish Granters: Elaine Oswald & Carolyn Pucci
Referred by: a family friend
Adopted by: Jewelers for Children3
Source Make A Wish Foundation
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Wish of the Week – Jason
September 21, 2009 by Kim
Filed under Wish of the week
By MWF/PIO
Sept.21. 2009
Gym class, soccer, the Florida Marlins and more – these are some of 10-year-old Jason’s favorite things. During his battle with leukemia, he often turns to sports as an escape. So what did this sports fanatic from Palm Beach Gardens wish for? He wished for his bedroom to be converted into a sports memorabilia room so he could surround himself with his most prized possessions. Jason, who has been collecting memorabilia for years, has enough sports gear and autographed items to rival the local sporting goods store. A lot of preparation went into transforming his bedroom into a sports lover’s dream and he didn’t mind a bit. Jason’s room was outfitted with a new coat of blue paint, carpeting, sports-themed bedding, a huge corner bookcase unit, custom shelves, frames and display cases. There’s even a customized wall cling of Jason. He said, “My room is awesome now. I love it!”
Wish Granters: Barbara Colsky & Gabrielle Strati
Referred by: St. Mary’s Hospital
Sponsored by: Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Martucci
Source Make A Wish Foundation
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Wish of the Week – Brenda
September 16, 2009 by Kim
Filed under Wish of the week
By MWF/PIO
Sept.15. 2009
Because of her battle with cerebral palsy, 7-year-old Brenda uses a communicative device to interact with others. She made it clear to her wish granters that her one true wish was to go on a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas. Once aboard the Disney Wonder, there were characters everywhere Brenda turned. She could not believe she was really there. The Broadway-style shows were entertaining, the Mickey Mouse pool was refreshing and the sunsets were breathtaking. Brenda was mesmerized by her dolphin encounter as she pet and hugged her new friend. Every night, Brenda tried her hardest not to sleep because she wanted to keep having fun.
Brenda’s Disney Cruise continues to inspire her months after returning from her dream vacation. Her mother said, “Her wish really made an impact. It was a life experience for her. Brenda is expressing herself better and being more independent.” The other morning, she woke up saying “Mickey’s boat” over and over. She has a scrapbook and often goes and gets the album to revisit the fun she had with Captain Mickey on his big red boat.
Brenda’s mother said, “Every detail was thoughtful. All the words I can say but ‘thank you’ is not enough!”
Wish Granters: Michelle Del Valle & Andrea Liscano
Referred by: her mother
Sponsored by: Palm Beach Sailfish Classic & Village Tavern
Source: Make A Wish Foundation
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com