It was one of those rare, hot Seattle days. A blustery 90 degrees. While most people did whatever they could to stay cool, there was another group who gathered outside, determined not to let the heat foil their plans.

Seven-year-old Cora walked timidly into her backyard, her blue Make-A-Wish T-shirt hanging loosely over her white skirt. She was dressed for a party. But who were these strangers gathered at her house? They brought pizza, cupcakes and balloons—purple, blue and silver—her favorite.

Rewind to October 2019. Life changed for Cora and her family the moment Cora was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). As the family navigated a new normal, including frequent hospital visits and treatments, the pandemic hit, making life even more uncertain. While everyone made personal decisions regarding health, safety and quarantining, Cora didn’t have a choice. Isolation was necessary. But it birthed an opportunity to dream. Step-in Make-A-Wish.

Under the sterile lighting of a hospital room, thinking about a wish sparked a smile. At first, Cora contemplated a cruise. Sun and water sure sounded nice. But given her immune-compromised condition and rapidly changing restrictions due to COVID-19, travel would have to wait.

After a year of treatment, Cora had a new wish in mind. Sickness taught her a few things, like how important it is to laugh, play and feel free. Cora wished for her very own play system with a bright yellow slide and swings, complete with a rainbow canopy. Step in Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), the corporate sponsor who adopted Cora’s wish.

A national partner of Make-A-Wish, BMS continues to prioritize making wishes come true for children like Cora across the U.S. And they were instrumental in turning Cora’s hospital dream into a backyard reality.

Laura Matson, a BMS employee and wish-granting volunteer, invited a group of BMS employees to help Cora celebrate her wish day. And, on a hot evening in June, BMS volunteers gathered in a little girl’s yard because they said YES to JOY. They covered Cora’s yard with her favorite princess-themed bean bags, chairs and a splash pad to create a magical oasis of possibility. It was time to move forward, to gather together again, to build hope and community.

After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Cora smiled. Strangers became friends. A wish came true.

If ever there was a time to say YES, it is now. Reach out to Dorienn Medrano today to find out how a partnership with Make-A-Wish can help your company reach its philanthropic goals.