David: age 5:
David is a sweet 5-year-old boy from Kanawha County who has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of cancer. David lives with his grandmother, and with treatments, hospital stays, and doctor's visits, there has not been much time or money for extras. However, David's grandmother is devoted to his happiness, and was thrilled to learn that David was going to be able to "make a wish" and have it come true!
Upon meeting David, his Make-A-Wish volunteers quickly discovered that he loves cartoons, especially "Thomas the Train," and loves the Disney characters. It didn't take long to learn that this child is truly in need of a little magic in his life, and we are so happy to be able to provide it. Thank to your support, David is going to have the trip of his life this summer when he visits Disney World AND will have a day out with Thomas the Train while in Florida!
Imagine…breakfast with the Disney characters each morning, special front-of-line passes for all the attractions and rides, wonderful accommodations, and all the magic of Disney at his fingertips. From Sea World the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, MGM studios, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, to shows, fireworks and hugs from his favorite characters. David is sure to have a wonderful wish trip that will live in his memory forever…
Lance, age 6:
Six year old Lance of Kanawha County has been a brave little boy his whole life. Treatments for his lymphoma have not dimmed his spirits, and he is constantly dreaming of new adventures that he will one day have. Hopes and dreams for the future are things we strongly believe every child should have, and we are so happy to be able to tell Lance that some of those dreams are about to come true!
So far in Lance's life, his travel adventures have consisted of car trips to the doctor and hospital. But Lance dreams of one day flying in a plane, going on a boat, and getting to see the beach. What better way to have all those adventures wrapped into one than embarking on a Disney Cruise? Thanks to your wonderful gift, Lance and his family will fly for the first time to board their very first cruise ship, and set sail to see some beautiful Caribbean beaches. Lance was so excited to learn that his wish was about to come true, and we are so excited to make it happen.
Ryan, age 4:
This shy 4-year-old from Kanawha County has a few favorite things in life...Chucky Cheese pizza, swimming, riding his bike, and watching his favorite Ninja Turtles on TV them. He has a wonderful imagination that is surpassed only by his sweet smile. When Ryan's Make-A-Wish volunteers met with him for the first time, he was almost too shy to say what his favorite wish might be! But after a little while, he got to talking about his favorite things and finally whispered his secret dream that he hadn't even told his mother..." I want to visit Sea World and see Nemo!"
Well, this little Disney movie fan will not only have the chance to visit Sea World, but he will also have the chance to visit all his favorite characters at Disney World! His wish trip will include Sea World, all the Disney parks and shows, a wonderful villa at Give Kids the World Village at Disney World, and the chance to explore and develop all kinds of brand new "favorite things." Due to the expected arrival of a new baby, Ryan's mother is not able to travel until Spring of 2009...but that's ok, because Ryan will have plenty to keep him busy until then! His volunteers are planning to send him a new Disney movie every month until his trip arrives, and he is just bursting with anticipation!
Mackenzie, age 6:
Mackenzie is a sweet little girl from Kanawha County who has been diagnosed with leukemia. She loves country music, figure skating, and playing her treasured gameboy. When her Make-A-Wish volunteers met with her for the first time, they also discovered she loves the Disney Princesses...her room is covered in posters of them! Ariel, Cinderella, Belle... she goes to sleep every night surrounded by her princess guardians. Her dearest wish is to visit the Disney Princesses in person, so of course a trip to Disney World is in order! Mackenzie's wish trip is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2008, and she is so excited! The anticipation of this wish-come-true is giving Mackenzie something positive to focus on as she goes through medical treatments, and is bringing hope and joy with each day her trip comes closer.
WISH STORIES
2008 Ride For A Wish
Thank you to all of our particpants, volunteers and sponsors at our last event, without you this event would not have been such a success!
2010 Ride for A Wish
Wish Stories
Dakota, age 6:
Dakota is a sweet 6-year-old boy from Boone County who has been diagnosed with Lymphatic Blastoma, a form of cancer. Dakota lives with his mother and grandmother as well as 6 other siblings, so you can imagine the strain that this family has to endure and most times there isn't money for extra things. However, Dakota's family is devoted to his happiness, and was thrilled to learn that Dakota was going to be able to "make a wish" and have it come true!
Upon meeting Dakota, his Make-A-Wish volunteers quickly discovered that he loves playing with matchbox cars, especially "Lightning McQueen" and loves the Disney characters. It didn't take long to learn that this child is truly in need of a little magic in his life, and we are so happy to be able to provide it. Thank to your support, Dakota and his family had the trip of their lifetime earlier this summer when they all went to Disney World.
At Disney World, our kids stay at Give Kids The World Resort and Dakota absolutely loved this place. Many times his mother had to drag him out of the resort to go to Epcot, Sea World, and Disney World. He loved that he could have ice cream whenever he wanted and always looked forward to the daily parades. While in Disney World, he ran into Wolverine, and he couldn't stop saying "how cool" it was to meet him. Upon returning from their trip, our volunteer spoke to Dakota and asked how the trip went, Dakota's reply was "when can I go back?" He and his family were so appreciative and so glad they could all share in this experience with Dakota.
Cassandra, age 10:
Ten year old Cassandra of Kanawha County has been a tough little girl her entire life. Treatments for her cystic fibrosis and the daily meds and therapy have not dimmed her spirits, and she is constantly thinking of ways to have fun both inside and outside her house. Hopes and dreams for the future are things we strongly believe every child should have, and we are so happy to be able to tell Cassandra that some of those dreams are about to come true!
So far in Cassandra's life, her idea of playing inside was with some of her old Barbies, and then venturing out to play on a swingset that belongs to a neighbor down the street. But Cassandra dreams of one day having her own clubhouse to take her Barbies and invite some of the kids around the neighborhood to come play in her clubhouse. What better way to have all those adventures in her very own clubhouse? Thanks to your wonderful gift, Cassandra will get that chance to step out of her house and into her very own clubhouse,. where she and her sister can pretend to do amazing things. Cassandra was so excited to learn that her wish was about to come true, and we are so excited to make it happen. Cassandra's wish will take place later this summer, and we will be sure to share the delights of her adventures with you as soon as she picks out the perfect clubhouse.
Brooklynn, age 3:
This energetic 3-year-old from Kanawha County has a few favorite things in life...Cinderella, fruits and vegetables, Dora the Explorer, and watching her favorite Disney movies are among them. She has a very vivid imagination and you never know what she will think of next. When Brooklynn's Make¬A-Wish volunteers met with her for the first time, she jumped at the chance of telling them what her wish would be! "I want to see Cinderella and her castle"...so we knew what that meant, a trip to Disney World.
Well, this little Disney movie fan will not only have the chance to visit Cinderella, but she will also have the chance to visit all her favorite characters at Disney World! Her wish trip will include Sea World, all the Disney parks and shows, a wonderful villa at Give Kids the World Village at Disney World, and the chance to explore and develop all kinds of brand new "favorite things." Brooklynn and her family will make this trip this upcoming August, but it doesn't stop her from asking "when are we going to see Cinderella?" We will keep you updated on her progress, and will share all the details of her adventures with you as soon as shee picks out the perfect clubhouse.
