Make-A-Wish Stories - Adventure

I wish to go on a cruise to Alaska.

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:20 GMT

For Tiffany, 6, a Make-A-Wish^® experience was a much-needed relief from the day-to-day challenges of recovering from leukemia.

�She went eight days chemo-free,� said her mother, Renee. �No needles, no pokes, no treatments � it was freedom!�

Nearly two years into her chemotherapy treatments and with one year still left, Tiffany was ready for such a break. She enjoyed those carefree days on the Royal Caribbean International ship Serenade of the Seas, which sailed to Alaska, her mother�s birthplace.

Tiffany packed comfortable clothes, raingear, binoculars and a camera to document her wish experience. She and her family set sail to see amazing sights: vast landscapes, majestic mountainsides and amazing wildlife.

�She loves whales and water,� Renee said.

Viewing glaciers, sea lions, and humpback whales was just the beginning of Tiffany�s happy adventure. Serenade of the Seas also stopped in Vancouver, B.C., where Tiffany and her family enjoyed Stanley Park and other tourist attractions. When not exploring land, the family kept themselves busy with an endless list of shipboard activities.

�She loves to cook, and she got to cook with the chef,� Renee said. �They gave her the experience of a lifetime that she will never forget, and we are truly thankful.�

I wish to go see snow.

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:20:33 GMT

It took 8-year-old Lanard nearly two years to choose his wish. While being treated for kidney cancer, it was hard to think about anything but getting well. As he started to feel better, Lanard decided playing in the snow was his one true wish.

Lanard and his family left balmy Florida for the Great White North � Minnesota. They arrived at Cragun�s Resort on Gull Lake, where the staff greeted him with cold-weather essentials. They gave him the right clothes and some gear to have a blizzard of fun: a snowball maker and snowman-making tools.

Lanard dove straight into the snow and quickly mastered the art of making snow angels. He was thrilled with a 10-mile snowmobile ride through the snow-draped forests. Lanard also got to drive the snowmobile, a highlight of his trip. He also spent time counting all the deer feeding near the resort.

Lanard was eager to glide over the snow even more. This time, he had a dog team pulling his sled over the frozen ground. He also tried his hand at ice fishing, landing a sunfish. He had an incredible time, but Lanard was also ready to get back to his sub-tropical home.

�It�s too cold in Minnesota,� he told a local newspaper with a smile.

I wish to go snowboarding.

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:12:00 GMT

For a snowboarder, there�s nothing like gliding over fresh powder. When 15-year-old Luke woke up for the first full day of his wish trip at Whistler Blackcomb ski resort in British Columbia, he found that more than a foot of snow had dusted the mountains.

Luke was diagnosed with a type of cancer that affects his joints. But missing a year of school and difficult medical treatments were far from his mind as he glided from his room at Taluswood straight to the lifts to get his day started. He and his father went straight to the top of the mountains, choosing a trail that was nearly 10 miles long. The run lasted nearly 45 minutes, taking them over pristine powder and challenging mogul fields.

�The mountain was really big and had lots of trails to choose from,� Luke wrote to the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® .

For five days, Luke carved the seemingly endless trails at Whistler Blackcomb�s renowned mountains. At night, he enjoyed his room�s private hot tub and the resort�s bustling villages.

An added thrill for Luke was getting the chance to preview what awaits his favorite athletes when the 2010 Winter Olympic alpine skiing events are held here in February. He saw the downhill runs first-hand, the Dave Murray Downhill (men�s) and Franz�s Run (women�s). Luke also checked out the new Peak 2 Peak Gondola that links Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

After countless numbers of runs, it was time for Luke to head back home to New Jersey.

�I want to thank the Make-A-Wish Foundation and everyone who was involved in making my wish come true,� Luke wrote. �My family and I will remember this vacation forever.�

I wish to go to Alaska.

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:57:43 GMT

Every time winter rolls around, 10-year-old Haley feels like she�s missing something. That�s because snow rarely ever falls on her hometown in Texas. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® offered to make her fondest wish come true, she asked to visit Alaska so she could enjoy the snow and all the cool fun that comes with it.

Haley, who was diagnosed with leukemia, started her first full day in Alaska with a dogsled trip through snow flurries. It ended with dinner for Haley and her family atop a snow-capped mountain. As her wish continued, Haley saw many of the Last Frontier�s wildlife. She watched polar bears at the Alaska Zoo and took a behind-the-scenes tour of Alaskan SeaLife Center. She even got up close to many of the animals, including the penguins. During her final few days in Alaska, Haley hit the ski slopes. She was a quick learner, enjoying the sound of her skis rushing over fresh powder.

�Thank you very, very much for the trip,� Haley wrote. �That was a trip I�ll always remember. I had a blast!�

I wish to go on a cruise with my family.

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:59:05 GMT

Matthew�s trip about the Royal Caribbean International^® ship Freedom of the Seas was more than a vacation � it was a chance to celebrate an end to chemotherapy and surgery on a cancerous kidney tumor.

The brave three-year-old asked Make-A-Wish^® volunteers to send him, his parents and his baby brother Isaiah on a cruise. Matthew�s wish granters found the perfect cruise aboard Freedom of the Seas that would take him to warm, relaxing Caribbean ports to help him forget the rigors of his recovery.

�Our entire vacation was incredible, and our son felt like a little prince,� said Jodi, Matthew�s mother. �That was so refreshing after all he had been through!� His favorite experience was swimming with dolphins.

Matthew later endured a relapse which required more surgery, more chemo and a bone marrow transplant. �Thankfully, he�s doing fine now,� Jodi said. �But it made us even more grateful for the break � and to the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® and Royal Caribbean for giving this gift to our family!�

I wish to go on a cruise.

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:16:40 GMT

Emma is a little girl with big dreams. Her life changed when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Instead of the usual concerns of a 10-year-old girl � Harry Potter, video games, Hanna Montana � she had to contend with the discomfort of chemotherapy and the distress of losing her hair.

Make-A-Wish^® volunteers learned that Emma had always dreamed of going on a cruise. Furthermore, she would love to go on a ship with water slides and a rock-climbing wall. And so, Emma and her family embarked on a cruise to Hawaii aboard the Royal Caribbean International^® ship Radiance of the Seas. They enjoyed visiting ports of call, and Emma spent her shipboard days climbing the rock wall and riding the water slide.

Emma�s wish experience gave her entire family a much needed break from hospital visits and treatments that had overshadowed her days. Now they share wonderful memories of their �cruise to Paradise.�

I wish to go to Sanibel Island and look for seashells.

Fri, 08 May 2009 18:33:11 GMT

Since the moment Grayson was born, he�s been fighting for his life. Diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) at birth, he had his first open-heart surgery at 11 days.

Grayson�s parents didn�t know what was wrong at first, only that he was experiencing multiple-organ failure. His illness has required surgery after surgery. Grayson�s mom, Carrie, said it�s extremely hard on the family. So it seemed like a miracle when Grayson received a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Wisconsin.

Beach dreams

When wish granters interviewed Grayson, he said he wanted to fly on an airplane and see the "big water.� They realized he wanted to go look for seashells, sea turtles and dolphins. Grayson had seen pictures of Sanibel Island, Fla., and was mesmerized. It seemed almost too much to hope for, amid all the grueling treatments and surgeries, tests and hospital visits.

When Grayson found out his wish would come true, he looked at his four older siblings and said, �I'm takin' you to Sanibel!�

�It was just about the proudest that I've ever seen a 4-year-old boy,� Carrie said. �Our trip gave our family a chance to spend time to relax and reconnect. It was the first time we felt Grayson was healthy enough for travel, so it was our first true family vacation.�

Grayson was amazed at the shell-covered beach. He walked up to total strangers, asking each one, �So...what's your wish?�

�Just being a kid�

They went to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, where they enjoyed a

Grayson takes a short break from collecting sea shells.

private �Shell Walk� that helped Grayson find some of the best shells on the island. The museum presented Grayson with gifts, including a stuffed squid and shell books. Volunteers escorted the family to the beach as they searched for seashells with the experts. As an added bonus, a Sanibel police officer rode by on his beach motorcycle and invited Grayson to hop on, then presented him with a junior deputy badge.

His parents loved watching the kids playing and spending time together as a worry-free family and Grayson enjoying himself just being a kid. It was a joyful break from the knowledge that Grayson�s heart will never be fixed. �We still live with the daily concern that his heart will start to fail, and he will need a transplant,� Carrie said.

Carrie maintains a Web site about Grayson�s progress for family and friends; it also features photos of the family trip to Sanibel Island. A heart transplant may be in Grayson�s future. But for now, he learned beautiful places are only a wish away. Precious memories of one such place give Grayson and his family a measure of hope, strength and joy.

I wish to go to Hawaii.

Fri, 01 May 2009 20:57:47 GMT

Wendy�s parents knew something was amiss when she began feeling tired and listless. A bright little girl who loved to read, draw and watch cooking shows, Wendy underwent tests that ultimately confirmed her doctor�s suspicions: She had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common type of childhood cancer.

Throughout a course of chemotherapy and other treatments during the better part of a year, Wendy dreamed of a trip to Hawaii. Thanks to her wish granters and sponsors, the day finally arrived when her fondest wish came true.

Wendy�s journey began with a limousine ride and a flight to paradise. She and her family stayed at accommodations offering the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean. They relaxed and swam in the ocean, and Wendy drew flowers and painted sunsets. They went whale watching and snorkeling and took part in an authentic Hawaiian luau.

When they returned home, Wendy not only had collected many amazing memories, she had pictures she had painted that captured scenes from her joyful vacation.

A wish experience such as Wendy�s can be a crucial part of the healing process for children as well as the entire family. �For many children, the joy of a wish granted represents a dream come true,� said Wendy�s oncologist, Dr. Kenneth DeSantes. �It offers the family an opportunity to experience something extraordinary and provides wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.�

I wish to go to the Grand Canyon.

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:56:38 GMT

Michael's Grand Canyon experience included a thrilling helicopter ride.

Perhaps it was the time of year � winter in Buffalo, N.Y. � that gave Michael the inspiration for his wish.

It was December 2007, and Michael had just completed 42 weeks of chemotherapy. He�d been diagnosed with Ewing�s sarcoma, a soft-tissue cancer, the previous January. In addition to the chemo, he had endured two surgeries on his leg.

The warm and sunny Southwest sounded pretty good to him.

Wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation� had contacted his family, and Michael took his time, carefully considering ideas before announcing his wish: a family vacation at the Grand Canyon.

Michael�s mother, Cindy, was surprised. �He�d never mentioned anything about the Grand Canyon, but the more we thought about it, the better it sounded!� she said.

The canyon is one of the world�s premier natural wonders and one of the first designated U.S. national parks. The only holdout was Michael�s older sister, who thought the whole thing sounded �boring.�

It turned out to be anything but boring.

Wish granters pulled out all the stops to grant Michael�s wish and coordinate a fun and memorable vacation for the family, who had endured a grueling year helping Michael get through his ordeal. The family � Michael, his parents and sisters � flew to Arizona for a weeklong holiday full of surprises. They were given a warm welcome at the park�s Maswik Lodge, just a quarter-mile from the canyon�s South Rim.

�We had a helicopter tour of the Canyon, and later we flew in a small plane,� Cindy recalled. �Then we went on a jeep tour of the Navajo reservation, where we saw some ancient ruins. It was fascinating!� At an Indian marketplace Michael bought a Navajo flute, which he treasures.

The highlight for Michael was a 15-mile river raft float, starting from the base of Glen Canyon Dam and passing through spectacular scenery, including the world-famous Horseshoe Bend, finally ending at Lee�s Ferry. Michael was impressed when he spotted not one but seven rare California condors � the largest flying birds in North America, with a wingspan of 10 feet.

�We stopped for lunch, setting up a camp on the beach with tarps overhead for shade,� said his mom. �Michael had the time of his life! He really hit it off with our tour guide, Corey. All the kids went swimming in the 42-degree Colorado River, if you can believe that � Brrrr!�

Everywhere they went, Michael wore his special hat that invited people to �Ask Me About My Wish!� And people did.

Michael and his family have since become devoted Make-A-Wish� advocates. Cindy was overwhelmed by the generosity and warmth of so many people who worked to help share the power of a wish� with her son and family. When the holidays arrived this past year, the family saw the Macy�s nostalgic Believe campaign and decided to help. �We saw that this could be a way to say �thanks� and to help other children receive their wishes,� Cindy said.

Cindy contacted people at local elementary and middle schools (the family by then had moved to Syracuse) and also Michael�s former school in Buffalo. They told a family friend who is a schoolteacher in Rochester, and she launched a letter-writing project at her school. All told, Michael�s family inspired the collection of more than 1,000 letters for the Macy�s Believe campaign, which ultimately generated $1 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

�We were amazed at how easy it was to get people to help,� Cindy said. �All we had to do was ask. � The response was immediate and overwhelming.�

I wish to visit Paris and eat at a fancy restaurant.

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:26:46 GMT

Vava�s wish was the 1,000th granted by Jewelers for Children, a nonprofit organization created by the jewelry industry to raise money for children�s charities. Since 1999, JFC has helped the Make-A-Wish Foundation share the power of a wish� by contributing funds to grant the wishes of children such as Vava nationwide.

For 13-year-old Vava, the real star of the Disney movie Ratatouille wasn�t the rat-turned-chef who rescues a fading Parisian restaurant � it was the sparkling image animators created for the City of Lights.

Vava, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin�s lymphoma, was so inspired by the city�s animated beauty that she was determined to see it for herself � and sample the famous French culinary flair. She asked volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation to send her to Paris for a meal at a first-class restaurant. Wish granters crafted an itinerary for her first transatlantic flight from Seattle, which included a stay at the heart of the city, trips to museums and a glimpse of the countryside.

Photography fan Vava turns her lens on the Eiffel Tower.

When she landed in Paris with her family, Vava was surprised by how closely the real Paris resembled its animated counterpart. Though she�s used to city life, Paris offered a new dimension in crowds and culture.

�They�re very different,� Vava said, comparing her home city to Paris. �Both are very busy, but Paris has more beautiful architecture.�

Vava spent her first several days sightseeing. Her family stayed at Hotel du Danube, right in the heart of the city. They enjoyed visiting famous museums and monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame.

Vava inspects cuisine from the kitchen of the Plaza Ath�n�e Restaurant.

Wish granters had arranged for an incredible four-hour, multi-course tasting at the Plaza Ath�n�e Restaurant, which is run by Alain Ducasse. The acclaimed chef is the first person to own restaurants carrying three Michelin stars in three cities. Vava sat at the chef�s personal tasting table. She rated the dessert courses as her favorite.

Before heading back to Seattle, the family took the subway to Versailles. There, Vava enjoyed her favorite moment of her wish trip: a relaxing lunch overlooking a canal.

The trip itself was wonderful, Vava said, but looking forward to it was just as important. She would often ask her nurse to talk about the wish while she was going through radiation treatment. She could hear the nurse�s voice on the intercom describing Paris, which took her mind off the treatment.

Vava, who was declared cancer-free by doctors shortly before her wish, believes wish kids need to think hard about choosing their one true wish. And she couldn�t be happier about her choice, which gave her a multitude of unforgettable memories.

�Travel will always be a great memory,� she said.

By Justin Schmid

I wish to go to Walt Disney World Resort.

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:53:31 GMT

Even before Emily left for her wish to meet Cinderella at Walt Disney World� Resort, the experience had made a change in her. It turned back the clock and made her more like the cheerful, curly-haired child she was before being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia before her second birthday.

Though Emily was in remission within a matter of months, the cancer took its toll. The frequent treatments and medications made her hungry, irritable and listless. She often stared blankly at the television. Her entire family sadly watched her appearance change as her hair fell out. But then doctors cleared her to leave the hospital after an intense round of chemotherapy.

Emily plays in the water at The Magic Kingdom.

And things began to change as she looked forward to a winter visit from Make-A-Wish� volunteers. When the wish granters arrived, her family was worried she would be too shy to tell them her one true wish. But they were in for a surprise: Emily greeted the wish granters at the door wearing a princess dress and a crown. And said she wanted to visit the iconic Cinderella Castle with her parents and grandparents.

�From the moment Emily met her wish granters, she was full of excitement,� recalls Linda Flynn, Emily�s grandmother.

The wish granters arranged for Emily to visit the park to celebrate her third birthday. She had her own suite at Give Kids the World Village, an amazing resort that caters to the families of children with life-threatening medical conditions. She had a special lunch with Cinderella and enjoyed an unforgettable dinner with Prince Charming. Emily played the part just right, kicking off her shoe so the prince could put it back on her foot.

Throughout their stay, Emily and her family also enjoyed visits to other area theme parks. She met every character she wanted to meet and never had to stand in line for a ride.

Emily had the time of her life, but each day meant just as much to Linda. For her, it was a respite from months of worry and uncertainty.

�Truly, the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped us all reclaim our lives before Emily was diagnosed, even if it was for a week � a week which we all needed desperately,� she said.

More than a year later, Emily is finished with her treatments and her prognosis is good. And the Make-A-Wish Foundation is still part of her life, inviting her to participate in events and to drop by any time she likes.

Thanks to Disney�s support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, wish families enjoy tickets to Walt Disney World, special visits from Disney characters and many other magical surprises.

By Justin Schmid

I wish to go to Australia.

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:38:49 GMT

When 18-year-old Noah made his wish, his family wasn�t sure they heard him right. Because he�s a sports fan, everyone figured he�d want to see a World Series game or meet his beloved New York Jets.

But instead of prime seats at Giants Stadium, Noah wished for seats onboard a Qantas flight bound for Sydney, Australia. His parents and older brother joined him for a two-week adventure Down Under.

�I thought I was hallucinating,� recalls his mother, Sandy.

In retrospect, though, it all makes sense: Noah was a torchbearer for the 2000 Paralympics, held in Sydney,

Noah checks out Telstra Stadium in Sydney, one of the venues for the 2000 Summer Olympics.

when the flame traveled through the United States. And a chance encounter with Jets kicker Ben Graham, a former Australian Football League star, made Noah curious about Australia.

It was also the first time flying for Noah, who was born prematurely and was diagnosed with a life-threatening form of cerebral palsy. The first leg of his trip was five hours to Los Angeles, followed by another 15 hours to Sydney.

�The plane ride was exhausting!� Noah says, but credits the crew for making it as comfortable for him as possible.

Once they arrived, Noah was already eager to sight-see. He led his family to landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, the famous Manly and Bondi beaches and the Harbor Bridge. He also visited Telstra Stadium, the eventual destination for the torch he carried in 2000.

The family managed to get away from the Sydney sprawl and into the Blue Mountains region just west of the metro area. Near the rural town of Katoomba, Noah got a glimpse of the famous Three Sisters rock formation during a perfectly clear day.

A resident of the Featherdale Wildlife Park hops into action to greet Noah.

Noah�s trip to the Featherdale Wildlife Park gave him a true taste of Australia � and gave some of the local wildlife a taste of him. The park is filled with native fauna roaming about uncaged. One brave young kangaroo bounded up to Noah�s wheelchair and gave a curious nibble on his shoe, a memory that still makes him laugh months later.

The warm, easygoing Australian culture taught Noah quite a bit � as a New Yorker, he�s used to a relentless pace. He also appreciated that wheelchair access was common, making it easier for him to think about his next destination rather than worrying about getting around. With help from his mother, he kept a journal of everything he did.

�Make-A-Wish really gave us a chance to explore different opportunities,� Noah says.

Sandy notices that the trip has changed Noah. He�s always been active and determined to not let his serious medical condition stifle him. But going abroad has sparked a curiosity about everything around him.

�It opened a lot of him that hadn�t been opened before,� she says. �He�s more inquisitive.�

Noah and Sandy are also new volunteers at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York.

I wish to visit the ICEHOTEL in Sweden.

Mon, 05 May 2008 15:14:41 GMT

Almost all wish kids will insist they had the coolest wish ever. But Cody, 17, can make a strong case that he had the coldest wish on record after feeling the sting of 20 degrees below zero.

His interest in architecture, a Swedish pen pal and his love for cold weather made him wish for a trip to the ICEHOTEL, located about 65 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Jukkasj�rvi, Sweden. Cody, who was diagnosed with a rheumatic disease, first learned about the ICEHOTEL in a documentary on The Discovery Channel. Since he works part-time as a draftsman for an architecture firm, he was enthralled by the idea of a hotel hewn each year from ice and snow.

Cody's view from the dogsled as he races from Kiruna to the ICEHOTEL.

But getting there was an ordeal for a teen who doesn't feel much love for air travel. His journey took him through more airports than he's ever seen before: Dallas, Chicago, Stockholm and the tiny airstrip at Kiruna, a frigid hamlet near Jukkasj�rvi.

Once Cody arrived in Kiruna, the Make-A-Wish Foundation put its usual wish travel arrangements on ice. Rather than a limousine, Cody traveled to the ICEHOTEL by dog sled. Even though his plane landed in the early afternoon, it was nearly pitch-dark by the time his sled team completed its 30-mile run to the ice hotel. He was amazed at the amount of snow draped over the forest. Most of the snow drifts, Cody said, were more than 10 feet tall.

During his time at the ice hotel, Cody spent two days in one of the permanent, heated rooms. But he got a night in one of the cold rooms, which workers build each year using blocks of ice from the nearby River Torne. The rooms stay at temperatures from 28 to 40 degrees F.

Each room, Cody said, had a "serene blue glow" from LEDs in the icy walls; the hotel's silence added to the serenity. He slept on a bed made from ice covered in reindeer fur. He woke up each day with a steaming cup of lingonberry juice, a concoction he came to like better than hot chocolate.

He also learned the true meaning of cold, even picking up a minor bit of frostnip during an excursion to a nearby village.

Even indoors, the mercury rarely gets higher than 32 degress.

"I thought it was kind of cool," Cody said, laughing. "I couldn't feel the left side of my face!"

Cody took another sled expedition through the forests, where he sampled some traditional Swedish cuisine: reindeer brisket, fish stew and mashed potatoes.

Cody also spent a few days in Stockholm, where he reconnected with his pen pal, Martina, and her friends and family. He took his first train trip in Stockholm and saw the Royal Guards at Stockholm Palace.

Another trip to Sweden may be in Cody�s future: He had a job offer to train dog sled teams, and is considering pursuing a job at the ICEHOTEL that would put his architecture skills to use. During his trip, the cold climate and clean air made him forget his health problems.

"I can't wait to go back!" he said.

-Justin Schmid

I wish to go visit my grandparents� farm in England.

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:38:47 GMT

Trafalgar Square - and its many pigeons - were among the many famous sites Chloe saw in London.

Five-year-old Chloe�s eyes always light up when her mom tells stories about growing up on her family�s 500-year-old farm in England. Chloe�s grandparents still live there, but it was a place she could only imagine � a place it seemed that she would never be able to visit. At least until the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® entered the picture.

Chloe was born with congenital heart disease and requires oxygen treatments that make it very difficult for airlines to accommodate her � especially on long flights. But when Chloe told wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego that her wish was to visit her grandparents, they were determined to get Chloe to the farm she�d heard so much about.

The adventure began with a limousine ride to the airport. Wish granters made all the necessary arrangements for her medical care on the flight, and the airline was pleased to welcome Chloe and her family onboard. A 10-hour flight delivered Chloe safely to London, where she and her family toured Buckingham Palace and were treated like royalty.

�I saw the queen�s jewels and the changing of the guard,� Chloe recalled. �They were even marching when I came there!�

Chloe and her family topped off their London experience with visits to Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben, and then they were off to the farm.

Chloe finally got to visit her grandparents on their 500-year-old farm and play on the grounds where her mom grew up.

Chloe�s relatives gave her a warm greeting when she arrived at the little farm in the village of Crackington Haven. Chloe had a great time visiting with her grandparents and romping around the grounds where her mom played as a little girl. Chloe�s mom said she never stopped smiling.

Chloe returned home with many photos and memories of the days spent with her family � especially her grandmother. �My nannie would make me jam sandwiches,� she said, remembering the homemade bread and strawberry jam that she shared with her grandmother at tea time.

The British adventure was a wish that Chloe and her whole family now cherish, and Chloe continues to smile every time she recalls her memories of the big London sights and the little family farm.

I wish to go to Japan.

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 22:20:42 GMT

Savannah tries on a traditional Japanese kimono.

It�s not everyday that Santa Claus greets you with a hearty �Happy Merry Christmas.� For 11-year-old Savannah, Santa�s off-beat welcome reminded her that she was in for a holiday celebration she�d never forget.

Savannah, who was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, wished to go to Japan. She had a huge list of things to do once she and her family touched down after a long flight from New York. Her itinerary covered a trip to the famous Harajuku shopping district, sightseeing at Mt. Fuji and other landmarks, enjoying Japan�s favorite theme parks and checking out museum artifacts. She also obliged her twin brothers with a trip to see a traditional garden.

�I was hoping my whole family would be there and that we�d have the greatest time,� Savannah said.

Savannah was impressed by the traditional politeness that infuses Japanese culture � and the cleanliness of Tokyo�s streets. Even in an area like Harajuku, which is crowded from wall-to-wall, everything seemed in its proper place. She was amazed that some Japanese people choose to wear masks when they�re ill to prevent others from getting sick.

�Strange but cool� was the mantra for Savannah�s first time away from North America � especially during meals. She was a bit cautious, mostly choosing white rice. Her brothers definitely had the adventurous spirit, often deciding to order squid on a stick.

Savannah and her brothers explore Tokyo�s �Electric Town� district.

Japan also lived up to its high-tech reputation. Akihabara, or Electric Town, gave Savannah glimpses of electronic gadgets not yet available in the United States.

�Electric Town makes New York City look like a little shack!� she said, describing the bright lights that make the area seem like high noon around the clock.

Tokyo Disneyland_� combined the familiar and foreign. Sure, she could ride her familiar favorites or check out a Christmas parade on Main Street. But Savannah and her mom, Sam, also noticed vendors serving curry popcorn and honey cakes � not your typical Disney delicacies found in California or Florida.

But Japan itself isn�t even what made her wish such a magical experience: Savannah bows to Make-A-Wish^� volunteers Katsu and Lori. Katsu was a perfect tour guide for Japan, and Lori from the Metro New York chapter has become like a member of her family.

Sam was thrilled by how people on both sides of the world went to so much effort for Savannah. Whether it was a limo to the airport or an obscure tidbit about a Japanese garden, Katsu and Lori had it covered.

�The stars really aligned for this kid,� Sam said.

I wish to go on a safari.

Wed, 02 May 2007 23:42:17 GMT

The lions, elephants and rhinos that roam the Namibian landscape had an unexpected visitor when 15-year-old Hugo made his wild wish.

Hugo, who was diagnosed with acute myelogenus leukemia, has always been fascinated with world travel, foreign cultures, and especially wild animals. He asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hudson Valley to quench his thirst for adventure with a safari in Namibia, a country near the southern tip of Africa.

Getting to Namibia required a 20-hour trip, but once he arrived, Hugo saw the most breathtaking and wild landscapes imaginable, from the Skeleton Coast, rich with African wildlife, to the Namib Desert, home to the world�s most magnificent sand dunes. Wildland Adventures, a company specializing in �worldwide explorations for active and inquisitive travelers� hosted Hugo on his Namibian trek.

Hugo and his dad discovered firsthand what it felt like to summit the giant mountains of sand. After their arrival, the pair hiked what�s believed to be the world�s tallest dune � dubbed �Big Daddy� by the locals � rising 1,200 feet above the desert floor. They also learned that going down a dune was a lot faster than going up, sandboarding at thrilling speeds.

Hugo got to see Africa�s wildlife up close in his safari jeep.

But for Hugo, nothing compared to the thrill of seeing all the African animals he�d grown up reading about. He and his family jumped in a jeep and visited the natural habitats of giraffes, rhinos, antelope and two different species of elephants. The adventure continued after sundown as they made camp in tents in the bush.

�A lion slept outside our tent one night,� Hugo excitedly recalled. �It woke us up by calling to its family.�

For Hugo, the highlight of the trip came when he got to �hang out� at a cheetah preserve. He smiled recalling how he got to feed one of the cheetahs there. �It began to really like me and felt comfortable around me. It would come up and rub up against me and purr. I think I bonded with that cheetah.�

Hugo hated to leave this amazing country, with the dramatic scenery and wildlife that had begun to feel like home. But when he returned to home to the United States, he had a camera full of photos and 10 days� worth of stories to share with friends and family.

Hugo�s favorite part of the wish was visiting the cheetah preserve. He made friends with the big cats, who purred and let him pet them.

�I met a lot of nice and fun people including locals�the Namibians are some of the most friendly people I have ever met in my travels,� Hugo said.

I wish to have a pop-up trailer.

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:59:07 GMT

Chloe�s new pop-up camper came equipped with everything she needed for an outdoor adventure.

Ever since 6-year-old Chloe can remember, her life has been full of campfires, toasted marshmallows and sleeping in her grandmother�s pop-up trailer. Her family�s camping trips are her favorite memories.

These fun-filled camping trips were put on hold when she was diagnosed with leukemia. During her treatments, she would think of all the good times she had during the family vacations.

�When she got sick, that was the one positive memory that she held on to,� said Stacie, Chloe�s mother.

That�s why Chloe was so quick in setting the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® on the trail of her wish to have a new pop-up trailer. She wanted her entire family to share in her wish.

After months of preparation, Chloe�s special day arrived. The family traveled to the Utah chapter�s magical headquarters, called �A Wishing Place,� and participated in festivities in Chloe�s honor.

Roasting marshmallows over the campfire was the perfect end to Chloe�s first night in her wish camper.

�She was in awe,� Stacie said of Chloe�s reaction to all of the attention. Just when Chloe thought her special day had ended, wish granters unveiled her wish, a new pop-up trailer.

The trailer was filled with camping supplies � everything from fishing poles and outdoor games to sleeping bags � to create wonderful memories. Chloe and her family, including her grandmother, immediately hooked the trailer to their truck and headed to the great outdoors for a family vacation.

�The Make-A-Wish Foundation helped provide Chloe with a light during a really dark time,� Stacie said. �It was a day that she could forget she was sick.�

Chloe is now doing well and has almost completed her treatment.

I wish to go to the Waterford Crystal Factory

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 03:46:13 GMT

Danielle, her mother, Sue, and Megan adored the cliffs of the Emerald Isle

A Peregrine poses politely with Danielle

Days after leaving the United States for the first time, wish kid Danielle was walking through a forest in Ireland with a hunting falcon perched on her forearm. She was also an honored guest at a 13th century Irish castle, and had enjoyed Waterford Crystal factory tour that�s usually reserved for foreign dignitaries.

Danielle�s wish would�ve been fulfilled even if her visit to the Emerald Isle ended after the crystal factory tour. She wanted to see its master artists blow, cut, inspected and engrave the crystal into the incredible vases, stemware and other shapes that make Waterford famous. But wish granters added falconry, stays at historic castles and more to make her wish experience the most memorable time of her life.

The creative wish was the result of a lot of thinking from 13-year-old Danielle, said her mother, Sue. They discussed the trip during Danielle�s recuperation from leukemia, and decided the trip would be a great way to celebrate her return to health.

Danielle concentrates on her own crystal creation

Sue still isn�t sure what inspired Danielle�s interest in Waterford Crystal, but it was clear she had an incredible time during the tour. Danielle and her cousin, Megan, met the staff, and they guided her as she crafted her own piece from a glob of red-hot molten crystal. Danielle experienced each step of the process, right up to engraving her name with a diamond pen.

�They were amazing with her,� Sue said.

After seeing the Waterford artisans at work, Danielle began a surprising tour of Ireland.

Danielle & her family enjoy a hearty Irish meal

Each day, Danielle and her family traveled to a different part of Ireland. They spent three of the seven days in picturesque castles throughout the countryside.

Danielle�s visit to Ashford is certain to live in her memory. She stayed at the Ashford Castle Hotel, a landmark dating to the 1200s, where she and Megan enjoyed one of the largest suites. The staff also treated the family to an hour-long falconry lesson in the nearby woods, a horseback riding adventure and spa treatments. Sue says it was a perfect way for the family to celebrate Danielle�s recovery; it�s been just more than a year since her last treatment.

�To actually leave the country and the doctors and the treatments was just a freeing experience for us all,� Sue said. �It was just one special thing after another. It was more than we ever anticipated.�

Danielle and her cousin, Megan, peer out from Ashford castle

I wish to go to Hawaii.

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 18:07:04 GMT

Before his Make-A-Wish^® experience, 18-year-old Anthony dreamed of deep-sea fishing, snorkeling in a spectacular lagoon and relaxing on the beach. Adding fuel to the fire were stories from Anthony�s dad about growing up in Hawaii. When volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Northern West Virginia talked to Anthony about his greatest wish, he knew he wanted to go to Hawaii to experience the Aloha State for himself. UAW-GM shared Anthony�s enthusiasm and sponsored his wish. Harry Green Chevrolet also hosted a send-off luau filled with tiki torches, grass skirts, leis and catered food.

With parents Troy and Dianne and brothers Mike, 20, and Kurtis, 13, the recent high-school grad set off for a one-week stay in Waikiki, Hawaii. The family had a packed itinerary and delighted in each days' activities. Among the highlights were visiting the Aloha Flea Market, exploring the sandy beaches of the North Shore, driving to the Pali Lookout for a view of Honolulu�s rain forest, and attending Germaine�s Luau, where they enjoyed oceanside entertainment with Polynesian-style dancing and food.

The group also checked out the cliff divers at Waimea Falls Park and took a deep-sea fishing excursion aboard the Blue Nun. Unfortunately, the fish were not biting that morning, and as a family member noted in the itinerary, �Wish we would have caught something.� On a brighter note, the family agreed that the best part of the trip was snorkeling at Oahu�s Hanauma Bay.

When their adventure was through, Anthony�s parents wrote to the Northern West Virginia chapter with appreciation and reflection: �When you granted Anthony�s wish to go to Hawaii, you blessed our family with a very special time together full of fun and laughter. After all a cancer patient goes through, as well as their family members, it�s a wonderful, refreshing, and bonding time that is truly needed.�

I wish to to go to Legoland and return in a sleeper train.

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 17:19:38 GMT

When questioned by volunteers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of East Tennessee, 11-year-old Elijah had a clear vision of his wish, right down to the transportation. Elijah wished to go to Legoland in California, but much of the fun would come from getting there and returning home. The Lego fan requested an airplane ride to San Diego (with a limousine ride to the Knoxville airport), but he wanted to come back to Tennessee in a sleeper train with his family. With sponsorship from UAW-GM and assistance from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego, the generous wish granters at the East Tennessee chapter gave him all that and much more.

Elijah � along with mom Beth, dad Eric, and older sister Ericka � flew to San Diego, where they checked into their downtown hotel. The family had plenty of space to relax with their two bedrooms, living room and kitchen. For the next five days, Elijah saw the very best of San Diego, including the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, the San Diego Wild Animal Park, the San Diego Bay and the all-important Legoland. He also toured Harbor Island, Shelter Island, Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Base Point Loma (a submarine base) and the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.

As a big fan of western movies, part of Elijah�s wish was tracing the steps of cowboys by traveling back to Tennessee in a sleeper train. The family rode the rails across the American Southwest and into the Deep South, with stops in Los Angeles, New Orleans and Greenville, South Carolina.

When they reached the end of their journey, there was one more piece of excitement in store. Elijah attended a party thrown by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, UAW-GM and local General Motors dealers at his favorite restaurant, Chuck E. Cheese�s. There, Elijah shared photos and stories of his adventures.