This wish story was submitted by Skyla. Her friend Sarah's wish was granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of New Mexico.

Sarah and I grew up together. We went to elementary, middle and high school together. But it wasn’t until our sophomore year that Sarah and I became close. That’s because that was the year that Sarah got sick. Sarah went to the doctor because she had been extremely tired and thought she was anemic. Her doctor informed her that it could be something worse, but we all hoped and prayed that it wasn’t. You never think something like cancer will happen to you or your friends.

I remember I was in my sophomore year algebra class when I got the text message. Sarah had been diagnosed with cancer and that very day was admitted to the hospital to begin chemotherapy. She went from being a normal teenager to a cancer patient in less than a day, and she was in the hospital for an entire week. I remember looking at my sixteen year old best friend in a hospital bed, looking white as a ghost. I remember her looking up at me, asking me how I was doing. My family was going through a painful divorce and Sarah showed tireless support. I’ll never forget what she told me while she was in that hospital bed, hooked up to all different kinds of machines, needles in her arms. She said, “I couldn’t imagine what YOU are going through. I just have cancer.” It was this resilient spirit and passion for life that got Sarah through her disease. It wasn’t until years later that I found out just how sick she was on that day.

Cancer took away a lot of things from Sarah. It took away soccer, which was her life, it took away three years of her high school career, and it took away her hair. As women, we identify ourselves with our hair, especially Sarah. Sarah had beautiful, long blonde hair that everybody knew her for in our small town. When she lost that hair, I lost my Sarah. Sarah always had a huge personality and unshakeable confidence. But after she saw herself bald, she lost all confidence in just how beautiful she really is.

Sarah’s wish gave her that back. Sarah was whisked away to New York, where Mary Alice Stephenson and her crew of amazing beauty and fashion professionals made Sarah over into a total supermodel. Sarah got to pose with professional models who have graced the covers of high-fashion magazines. The photographers, make-up artists and everybody involved in her wish made Sarah feel like the star that she is. There were wall-to-wall shoes, purses, make-up and clothes at the photo-shoot for Sarah to choose to keep. She had no limit to what she could choose and she and her mom had a blast going through it.

After her wish, Sarah came to visit me in Arizona. And after we greeted each other, I said “Alright, are you ready to go?” She said “no, I checked luggage.” I said “Sarah, you checked luggage for a two night trip?” She had checked a monstrous piece of luggage for a two night trip because it was filled with all of her wish clothes to show my mom and me. But it wasn’t the fabulous shoes, or the beautiful clothes that Sarah got from the wish that mattered. What she received from the wish is something nobody could ever put a price on. It gave her her spirit back. And it gave me my best friend back.

After Sarah’s wish, she went on to be crowned our high school’s homecoming queen and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s woman of the year. She also raised thousands of dollars for the leukemia lymphoma society through the sale of her pink bracelets. Sarah’s family and friends wore this pink bracelet proudly for her three years of treatment. And even more proudly cut it off when Sarah got to say goodbye to chemo and hello to college!

The power of a wish has touched my heart in ways that I could never be able to put in to words. I am, and forever will be, so deeply indebted to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I can’t thank everybody enough.

CoverGirl® sponsored Sarah’s wish to be a model and made her day unforgettable. Since 2008, CoverGirl has been sponsoring modeling & fashion wishes and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year by helping to make even more wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions.








If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

This wish story was submitted by Kenley's mom. Her daughter's wish was granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Suffolk County, NY.

In September, our daughter Kenley had a wish for a room make-over. She has Cystic Fibrosis, and thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation she now has a beautiful room to do her treatments in. Before the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted her wish, Kenley had to do her treatments in the living room in front of everyone. Now she has beautiful new bean bag chairs to sit in and a television to watch while she does her treatments in private. This was a wonderful process that made her feel very special! Thank You to the Make-A-Wish Foundation!




If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

This wish story was submitted by Timothy's father. Timothy's wish was granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of America.

Timmy and I were wondering how we could get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine by just not riding in the van or taking walks in the wheelchair. Then, I was looking in a magazine and saw this wonderful bike called the Duet Cycle! I knew right then that was the way. I wondered, how do we get something like that? There was no way I could afford to get the bike for Timmy to enjoy! So some friends told me about the Make-A-Wish Foundation and we wrote them a letter. In no time we got an answer and met with a wonderful man and woman from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. They took one look at the idea I had and were all for it, so on July 17th 2008, (Tim's birthday) we got the bike! Having the bike has been amazing and Timmy loves it. We have even been in a magazine for riding the bike- WOW!! We are so thankful for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, it has made a really rough time a little eaiser. :)




If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

This wish story was submitted by Jackson's parents. Their son's wish was granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc.

In February 2010 I was diagnosed with a brain stem tumor. When I came up with my wish I was very sick from all the chemotherapy and not allowed to play at our neighborhood playgrounds because of all the germs. My tumor also affected my motor skills so my balance wasn't so great and I was nervous other kids might knock me over. Every time we drove past a playground I would beg my parents to let me go on the swings or slide. That is when my wish to have my very own playground with swings and slides in my backyard developed. In September 2010, upon my arrival home from radiation treatment out of state, my wish was granted. I was welcomed home with a huge party and, well, a large present in my backyard! Daily, my brother and I go play on my new playground. I love showing it off to all my friends. But most importantly, I now have a safe haven to escape all my worries and play like every other three year-old. Thank you to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for making my dream come true!



If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

This wish story was submitted by Amber. Her wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Montana.

I wished to go to Hawaii and swim with dolphins and to go snorkeling and I absolutely LOVED it!!!!! So when me and my family got there we stayed in a really nice hotel that had like its own water park cause it had a huge pool and at that hotel that's where we got swim with the dolphins and it was sooooo much fun! Then the next day we went snorkeling and saw a bunch of wildlife. And overall we had "bunches'o fun" lol THANK YOU MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION!!!!!!!! :D

If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

 

This wish story was submitted by Mikayla. Her sister's wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Illinois.

My sister was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in February 2008. Her wish was to visit the Atlantis Resort in Nassau. Along with our mother, we left for the trip during our spring break in 2009. We stayed at the Royal Towers Hotel and dined every night in the buffet. My family explored every place possible. We slid down all the waterslides, swam with dolphins, tanned on the beach, and watched movies at the theater! I think the greatest part was that it gave our family a break from all the stress and brought us closer together.





If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

This wish story was submitted by Kayla. Her wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of America.

Once a belieber, always a belieber. On June 26, 2010 my life was changed forever and it’s all thanks to Justin Drew Bieber. That’s the day I met my idol. 

Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, I was granted the opportunity to make my dream come true. My wish was to meet the incredible, talented, and overall amazing Justin Bieber. It was on June 24 that my grandmother Donna, my brother Ryan, and I were flown from our local airport to Detroit, then off to Cincinnati, Ohio. It was in Cincinnati that I was going to see my wish come true. 

When we arrived in Cincinnati, we were greeted at the airport by our Make-A-Wish greeter. When we met, in her hands was a basket of goodies and a sign with my name on it. In the basket were gift cards for restaurants, local ice cream shops, sharpies to get signatures from Justin, some candies, and a hairbrush. The hairbrush was attached to a note card stating that before the concert and meet-and-greet, I was going to Pump Salon to get my hair and makeup done. 

We proceeded to the luggage claim which I thought was so much fun for some reason. My grandmother had lost her luggage – turns out someone else accidentally picked up her suitcase. We couldn’t wait around any longer because we had to go pick up our rental car. 

Our greeter walked us through the airport to the car rental station. There, I waited outside with Ryan and my grandmother walked inside to see what car we would be getting. A few moments later, while they were still inside a brand new 2011 red Ford Mustang pulled up and I thought to myself, WOW that is a nice car. Mustangs have always been my favorite car. My grandmother walked out and said, “Well, Kayla, we really don’t have luck, we're getting an ugly white truck to drive around” and I’ll admit, I was disappointed. 

We stood up and started walking and they walked over to the Mustang. They then surprised me by telling me that it was all a joke and our rental car was, in fact, that red Mustang. Let’s just say I was very, very happy. I literally screamed and jumped up and down for quite a while. We loaded our things into the car and drove off to find our hotel. 

We stayed at this big and beautiful hotel right off of the town square. The view from our room was incredible. We could see everything happening down on the square. They had concerts and all sorts of exciting things down there. I could not stop smiling from the time we stepped onto our plane. We had nothing specific planned for the day so we stayed inside then went out to dinner and to explore the city. 

Cincinnati is such an exciting city with lots of people. It was exhilarating! We went out for dinner and had the best tasting pizza that I have ever had. It was delicious. We each kind of did our own thing for the rest of the night, and just relaxed. Also in my basket of goodies that I received from the greeter were three passes to King’s Island Amusement Park. The next day, Friday, we went to King’s Island. We didn’t stay too long because unfortunately the heat was almost unbearable. However while there, my brother and I rode a 230-foot-tall roller coaster, which was the most fun I ever had. We got our picture taken on the ride. I’m not one to like roller coasters, but I had a blast on that one. 

After some really yummy ice cream in the park a while later, we left to go back to the hotel to get ready for dinner and such. We went out shopping that night for my outfit to meet Justin. I couldn’t hold in all of the excitement. I had to find the perfect outfit. Finally, I found a dress that I fell in love with once I put it on. It was a strapless flowery dress and it was beautiful. We bagged it up and took it back to the hotel. The next day was the day I was going to meet Justin Bieber, so needless to say I did not get any sleep that night. I was way too excited to sleep. All night I sat up thinking about the upcoming day. What was I going to say to Justin? Would I become speechless? Would I be able to get pictures? Would I cry? All of these thoughts kept racing through my mind. 

The next morning I woke up jumping for joy. I could not wait to go and get my hair done and start getting ready! We left for the mall where the salon was located and finally arrived moments later. I walked into the salon and was very surprised at how fancy it was. They had computers in the waiting area and the service was incredible. I felt like a celebrity. The woman that did my hair was asking all sorts of questions about my wish. Everyone in the salon was talking to me or about me and I was just soaking it all in. I felt so good. It was so exciting. I got my hair done and I absolutely loved it! 

From there we went back to the hotel to finally start getting ready to leave for the concert. I put on my dress and made sure my makeup looked good. I grabbed my magazines, my markers, and my camera. We went down to the lobby to meet our second Make-A-Wish greeter who would take us to the concert. She led us to our limo, which was waiting for us outside of the hotel. We had a black stretch limo and the inside was insane. 

Our greeter explained to us how the rest of the evening would go. We were told that once we arrived at the stadium where the concert was, we would have to pick up our tickets and our V.I.P. wristbands. We had bright green wristbands. We had two extra along with two extra tickets. A few people waiting outside the stadium for the doors to open came up to us and told us that a large group of people with green wristbands had already gone in. Little did they know, our wristbands were a little more special. 

We were then called into the stadium before anyone else, before the doors were even opened for everyone. We met a man who told us he was Justin’s tour manager. He lead us down the hall, into an elevator and then backstage down another hallway. On the way down the hallway we passed Justin’s wardrobe case, and of course I took a picture. We were then brought outside his dressing room and asked to wait there. The anticipation was just driving me crazy. I couldn’t wait any longer and I was getting so excited. I could not stop smiling if my life depended on it. I then heard a ruckus down the hallway and heard people laughing and talking. I looked down the hall to my left and saw two very big men and in the middle of them was Justin Bieber. 

My eyes lit up, my heart raced, and my jaw hurt from smiling so big. I didn’t know if I wanted to cry, scream, or just stand there in shock. Justin Bieber was walking towards me. There he was, within ten feet of me. At first they walked right into his dressing room – that is until his tour manager let them know that we were there with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Justin quickly turned around to greeted us all, reached out and shook my hand, said hello and invited us all into his dressing room. Wow, I was about to walk into JUSTIN BIEBER’S DRESSING ROOM! I mean, come on how crazy is that. 

The excitement was building even more. Once inside the room my brother and grandmother introduced themselves and Justin also introduced himself and shook their hands. He then pulled out a chair for me and pulled another one for him next to mine. I was sitting on a chair, next to Justin Bieber, a chair that he just pulled out for me. I sat there smiling the entire time as he asked me a few questions. I can honestly say I don’t remember what I said to him because I was just too excited. I don’t think I even asked him anything. I told him about how I saw him play three songs at a mall around where I lived and I told him how I learned “One Less Lonely Girl” on the guitar and that I play it all the time. 

He noticed I had been holding my phone in my hand and asked if I’d like to take a picture of him and me on it. I certainly said “of course.” I stood up and handed my brother the phone, then stood next to Justin. He put his arm around my waist, and I couldn’t have smiled any bigger. 

We posed for a picture and then as Ryan handed me back the phone I looked over to the couch on the left side of the room and lone behold, there was Sean Kingston! I screeched quietly and laughed saying “Oh my god, that’s Sean Kingston” and Justin called him over. I felt like a kid when I explained to Sean that I saw him open for Chris Brown in 2007, being that it was so long ago. We then all proceeded to take more pictures. I took pictures with both Sean and Justin and, standing with them, receiving hugs, exchanging conversation and taking pictures with them, I could not believe it was all real. 

The most incredible thing about the meet-and-greet was that it was just us. I mean, all of his people such as his vocal coach and his publicist were all there but I wasn’t with a group of others meeting Justin. This was my time with Justin and for a moment I wasn’t thinking about all of my problems and all that I have gone through before that moment. As we were preparing to leave, Justin had stopped me and said he had a gift for me from him to me. He brought over a big box and opened it for me, inside was a brand new epiphone guitar. He told me that this guitar was now mine. He signed his name and the words “NEVER SAY NEVER” onto the guitar. He also explained that this guitar was an exact replica of the one he uses during all of his shows on tour and that it was made especially for me. 

We took a few more pictures with the guitar and such and then sadly our time was up. I walked out into the hallway where Justin’s videographer asked if he could interview me. I obliged of course. He asked me a few questions, like what I like most about Justin and what my favorite songs were and things like that. After the interview we were brought into the stadium to our seats which by the way were crazy good! We were on level one right about where his mom and manager were sitting and I could see all of them. 

We had two extra tickets so I sent my brother off to find two girls with bad seats, to give them our extra tickets. He found two girls who were far away with plain awful seats and gave them the extra tickets. They could not say thank you enough to us for giving them better seats. I figured if we had the extra tickets, why not give them away to someone who could use them. 

The lights turned off and everyone screamed at the top of their lungs as the show began. I danced and screamed, and smiled and laughed the entire time. It was the experience of a lifetime. As Justin sang “Never Say Never,” I was for a moment in time, 100 percent content with everything. In that moment, I wasn’t worried about my health issues, and I wasn’t at all concerned about anything. I was happy, and truly, truly at ease with everything. 

Justin Bieber changed my life. Since that day, I have learned to never say never. Never give up on your dreams and know, that by the end of the day, everything will work itself out and everything will be okay because if it’s not okay then it’s not the end. That’s my Bieber experience and it’s one that I will live over every day. I will never forget it. 

I pause everyday and think back to that day, and for a moment every day, I am happy. I thank the Make-A-Wish Foundation for making this all possible and I thank Justin Bieber for agreeing to do this for a very dedicated Belieber. I love you Justin Bieber. Thank you.

If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

This wish story was submitted by Christian's mom. Her son's wish was granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Philadelphia and Susquehanna Valley.

My son Christian, diagnosed at 6 months old with Cystic Fibrosis, received his wish 3 years ago. When he was told he could go anywhere or have anything for his wish, he said he wanted something that he could always see and touch and KNOW that it came from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He also wanted something that he and little brother (who also suffers from the same disease as Christian) could both use. His passion is hockey. Christian has played hockey since he was 5 years old. He really wanted to have a hockey/sport court to call his own. Knowing that he and his little brother could just go out back and play together was another driving force. We had the most wonderful wish granters ever. Three years later, this court is still used almost every day (unless covered by snow!). Our family could not be any more grateful. Because of the amazing experience, I (mom) have signed up to try and help someone else's wish come true.





If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

This wish story was submitted by Lory. Her son's wish was granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Texas Gulf Coast & Louisiana.

My son was spending more and more time in his room. He had been sick for three months straight, then the doctors wanted to make him homebound for the next three. I knew it was time - he needed to be cheered up in a way that I could not do for him so I contacted the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It was time. He could have asked for anything, but what he asked for was some electronics for his room - the place he spent most of his time. He said a trip would only be temporary, but a computer he could enjoy for a long time to come. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was amazing! The look on my son's face when they walked through the door with a computer and much more, was something that I could not do for him. Thanks to the love of many, the Make-A-Wish Foundation could do it for him. Many thanks to everyone who helped his wish come true!



If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

This wish story was submitted by Ian. His son's wish was granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Central California.

My son was five when he received his wish. At the time, he was being hospitalized monthly for weeks at a time and just had a medi-port placed and was receiving bi-weekly infusions. He had a g-tube put in at the age of three, which he still has and he is still getting bi-weekly infusions via medi-port. The time was very difficult on the whole family and a break was something desperately needed, but financially with all our medical we couldn't have done it on our own and haven't since.

Our son wished to "kiss a killer whale." It was the most memorable experience of our life. All of our children felt so special and it was a great bonding experience that was very much needed. Our son has by no means had an easy life, and it won't get easier. He has a lifelong illness that has since gotten worse, but he is the bravest person I know. The wish only increased his and my other childrens' love of animals, and gave us something positive to benefit us from the trials that he and our family have endured. The Make-A-Wish Foundation^(R) truly blessed my family with a truly wonderful memory we would not have been able to provide on our own. THANK YOU, Make-A-Wish Foundation!




If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

This wish story was submitted by Beth. Her daughter's wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Illinois.

Emma and our family got to fly out to sunny San Diego, California to meet the Jonas Brothers and watch them in concert!

This wonderful, priceless experience just brought such a smile to Emma's face. It just allowed her to forget about doctors, appointments, etc. She was treated like royalty from the minute the limo picked us up until the very end. She felt very, very loved and important. Through Emma's wish I think she learned to dream big ... that her dreams can come true and she does deserve the very best.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is just an unbelievable organization! Thank you again!


If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

This wish story was submitted by Shelly. Her son's wish was granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Alaska & Washington.

Clayton's wish was to have a basketball court in our back lot. His wish was granted AND the Gonzaga Men's Basketball team also came out and played basketball with him and his MANY friends who attended his party! Panda Express catered the affair and everyone had a GREAT time! This wish was granted during his second fight with this monster known as cancer; now he is in his third battle. Thank you for giving him something he always talks about!

This wish story was submitted by Sharon. Her daughter's wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Greater Virginia.

My daughter, Nikki, wished to attend the Country Music Awards. While there, she was able to meet her favorite band Rascal Flatts. Before her cancer surgery, she put together a Relay for Life team and put some inspirational lyrics from Rascal Flatts on the back of the t-shirt. Who could have dreamed that seven months later she would actually MEET Rascal Flatts - and they signed her t-shirt too!

The Wish staff/volunteers put together an amazing trip to the Country Music Awards where she met even more country singers! We were with two other Wish families, and it was very special to share some of the events with them. The Wish went over the top, also providing a hair salon visit and transportation to and from the awards show with a big tour bus for the three Wish families!








If you received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped grant a kid's wish, or just have a great story to tell about a Make-A-Wish experience, please share that story here. Tell us how it impacted you and feel free to upload any related photos, video, or artwork. 

This wish story was submitted by Lori. Her son's wish was granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of New Jersey.

My son, Ricky, was born without an immune system and was given a bone marrow transplant at six months of age.

He had been through 10 surgeries, multiple infections and all types of complications after his transplant. He basically spent the first four years of his life in the hospital. When he was well enough to be brought to a swimming pool, he absolutely went crazy with joy! He could be like all of the "normal kids." He lost his hearing due to the ototoxic meds from transplant, so social skills and language are a big problem. Every year, we would buy him a small inflatable pool to enjoy in his yard. Well, the time came to make a wish. He told us he wanted a swimming pool, but with his delays, he didn't really understand that it would happen. We had everything worked on and he had no idea it was actually being done.

Every day, we were taking him to his Nana's house to swim in a little inflatable pool that we bought him for her yard while his pool was under construction. So, the day came where everything was done and we had the yard cleaned and ready to go. I went into the yard with my video camera, and had my sister and niece waiting with the digital camera. We got all set up and then we told my husband to bring Ricky out. The gate to the yard was closed so he had NO idea what was waiting on the other side. His dad let him go through the gate first, and the look on his face was absolutely priceless. He was in such a state of shock that the gate swung back and knocked him forward. He anxiously climbed up the ladder and jumped right in!

To see him splashing and laughing and saying, "Ricky got a BIG pool!" just melted our hearts. He swam every day and it was so great to see him interacting with other children, because this is something they can do together without having a lot of "language" going on. Every time he goes in his swimming pool, he is like any other regular healthy child. Ricky is never going to be completely out of the woods, because the doctors have very limited information on long-term survival for his disease. But, we know he is an amazing little fighter, and thanks to Make-A-Wish Foundation, every time Ricky goes in his pool, it makes us all forget that we have any worries. We just completely revel in his happiness!

Thanks, Make-A-Wish Foundation, for bringing so much joy into our son's life. We will forever be grateful to this amazing organization and all that it does for the children. God bless each and every one of you!