Billy was a freshman in high school when his world flipped upside down. He was playing football and suffered a concussion in practice. After going through concussion protocol, the dizzy spells, vertigo and splitting headaches didn’t subside.  

His mother remembers Billy walking into her room one night holding his head. She said her stomach dropped. “There’s something wrong with my brain. I think I’m dying,” said Billy. 

She called the pediatrician that night.  

Doctors ordered an MRI of Billy’s brain to allay their fears. Instead, their worst fears were realized.  

Billy had brain cancer.

They immediately drove to Seattle Children’s and started treatment.  

During his time in the hospital, Billy had a companion. He brought his guitar. It was an outlet for him when he felt alone and needed a reprieve from the circumstances around him. 

He played it until he couldn’t anymore. The cancer treatment took a toll on his body, and eventually, he was too weak to strum and pluck his favorite chords. The chemotherapy and radiation were relentless. He lost his ability to walk. In the darkness, his family looked for a light.  

When Billy learned he qualified for a wish, he was excited.  

“The Make-A-Wish volunteers had hearts of gold,” his mother Christy said. “The wish gave Billy a lot of hope. For all of us, it gave us something to shoot for.” 

Music brings Billy joy. He plays guitar and piano and writes music. He loves to sing and play for other people. That happiness and love for music sparked an idea. He wanted a music studio.

Thanks to his wish-granting volunteers and Toth Construction, Billy’s music shed was realized. Suon Frothingham oversaw the build of the recording studio and made Billy’s music dreams a reality. Every detail, from the wood accents adorning the walls to the modern sound panels were expertly and meticulously crafted and picked just for Billy. 

“It was beautiful to watch his face. He was so in awe,” said Mary Love Mattox, one of Billy’s wish granting volunteers. “Suon was a gift, really and truly. He did an incredible job. Billy deserves a place that’s perfect for him and Suon’s creativity just nailed it.” 

Billy loves country music artist Johnny Cash, and emulates his deep, baritone voice in his music. He says he spends hours jamming in the shed on his guitar he’s affectionately named Jessica.

“I can't thank you guys enough for everything you have done for me,” Billy said. “This is truly a dream come true for me. I spend so much time out here.” 

He dreams of playing in front of large crowds and hopes to one day release an original song he’s been working on. He says writing the song has been cathartic. It describes the tumultuous road he’s walked battling cancer and the purpose he’s found.  

“I want my music to bring people a little bit of happiness,” Billy said. “My mission in life is to put others before myself. I want to help people.” 

Thank you to Billy’s wish-granting volunteers (Mary Love Mattox and Jessica Stapleton), Toth Construction and Suon Frothingham.  

You have the power to transform lives and make wishes like Billy’s a reality. Spark joy in the lives of children with critical illnesses, please consider making a gift today.