Q: Why did you choose this wish?

A: I loved watching Chi Chi Rodriguez play golf. He was always so carefree and happy. He seemed like he thoroughly enjoyed life. Every time he played in a tournament, he would grab two kids from the crowd as he walked down the eighteenth fairway, one under each arm, and talk to them like they were the last two people on earth. I always thought how lucky those kids were to spend a couple minutes with Chi Chi. I couldn’t think of anything better than spending a few hours playing golf with such a fantastic person.

Q: What was one of your favorite memories from the wish?

A: I had recently finished my last round of treatment when I played golf with Chi Chi that day. I remember while we were on the course that he looked me straight in the eye and told me that I could be anything I wanted to be. Hearing that from someone I admired so deeply really hit home. I knew he was right and from that moment since I’ve always pursued my dreams as if they would one day be a reality.

Q: What's your medical diagnosis now?

A: I have been in remission for almost 15 years now. I have no major long-term effects from the chemo and am healthy and loving life

A: My life has truly been like a fairytale. Doctors told me I would never be able to have children. They said I would have numerous health issues due to the large amount of chemo I had taken. But hope, strength, joy and faith are all things that doctors can’t take away. I met the most beautiful woman in the world three years after I went into remission. In 1998, we were married. She knew what the doctors had said, and she loved me unconditionally anyway. On Jan. 6, 2000, we welcomed our son Joshua into this world. The doctors had been completely wrong! Our daughter Coryn was born in 2001. We are so excited and have been extremely blessed. Besides my wonderful family who I adore with all of my heart, I have the most rewarding job imaginable. Last May, I was offered a job as the advancement and outreach director for Make-A-Wish chapter in San Antonio! So not only has my life been blessed with hope, strength and joy, but now I go to work every day looking to bring those same qualities to children in situations that I can totally relate to. It’s amazing meeting these wonderful children and being able to tell them that I know what there going through, and mean it. As an added bonus, the family and wish kid are usually very excited to meet someone that has defied the odds!

Q: What did your wish mean to you?

A: Make-A-Wish is my life! I wake up every day ready to share my story and help raise awareness and money for the children in and around San Antonio. It is a passion that is near and dear to my heart. In 1993 someone adopted my wish and made it one heartfelt wish come true. Now, it is my job to return the favor to each and every child in San Antonio battling a life threatening medical

condition. Someone did it for me, and it changed my life forever.

Q: What do you want to tell people about the Make-A-Wish Foundation?

A: I speak to so many groups around Central and South Texas and the first point I try to get across is I’m still here! This misconception is out there that these kids are all “terminal” and that these wishes are final memories for the child and family. I love the looks on the faces of a large group when they find out that I’m not just an employee of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but a former wish kid!!! There are literally jaws on the floor. Our motto says that we bring hope, strength and joy to these children and there families. But I believe that we bring so much more than that, I believe we help save lives too. I can say that because I know that’s what the Make-A-Wish Foundation did for me. They helped me believe that I was put here to be somebody, to make a difference. Now it’s time for me to uphold my end of the bargain.