I had to laugh it off. Cancer is so devastating — physically and mentally — that laughter was the only way I could cope. My mom found it strange, but I wouldn’t let cancer or depression get the best of me. The best was yet to come. 

I was diagnosed with cancer a week before my 18th birthday, putting the brakes on my excitement for the future​ and forcing me to quickly create a plan to finish high school before graduation in just 4 and a half months! 

It started with lumps on my neck. My doctor suspected inflamed lymph nodes and an oncoming cold. Two weeks later, there was no cold, only bigger lumps. They grew so large I couldn’t turn my head over my shoulder.  

As soon as I told my mom about the lumps, she made an appointment with my doctor that same day. An X-ray confirmed our worst fears: I was in the fight of my life. I was referred to Seattle Children's Hospital. Two weeks of tests followed, then the dreaded start of chemotherapy. 

When you spend so much time in the hospital, you get to know your care team. I loved my oncologists, Dr. Rivers and Dr. Lindsey. They made me feel comfortable and right at ease. My favorite person was social worker Fred Wilkinson. The day before my 18th birthday, Fred encouraged me to sign the Make-A-Wish paperwork. A day later, I would have been too old to qualify. 

Fred was my first hero in this maddening journey. My next heroes came as a pair — my wish granters. They told me to wish for something that would restore my excitement for life and help me smile again. 

My hopeful wheels began turning. I wanted to experience my wish while healthy. Sunshine and a beach wouldn’t hurt. I made my wish: to go to Hawaii. 

With visions of Honolulu and beach sunsets in my mind, I could endure the nausea and boredom of chemotherapy, isolation from friends and missed school. I couldn’t ignore the depression, so I found things to laugh about. Laughter became my go-to medicine. 

Two years later, with my treatment behind me, my wish plans quickly came together. My mom, stepdad, brothers and I got to meet our volunteers for Make-A-Wish for dinner, and they were super sweet! They explained everything about my wish and we were so excited!  

It wasn’t until I was at the airport, being treated like royalty, that it finally hit me: I was on my WISH! I beat cancer! Now it was time to celebrate. 

My wish refreshed me. It was my first trip after being sick. We stayed in a beautiful beachfront hotel, and I went horseback riding, jet skiing, parasailing and swimming with sea turtles! Best of all, my family was there to share every precious moment. 

I’ll never forget snorkeling with my brother and feeling completely carefree. Below us, five sea turtles slept on the ocean floor. I felt elated, captivated by the beauty around me. 

And I still believe the best is yet to come. Because the best happens every day. Each time I close my eyes, take a breath and remember…I’m here. I survived. I’m loved, and so much beauty is waiting for me. 

Thank you to the Make-A-Wish supporters and volunteers who gave me the trip of a lifetime! 

“Makayla’s Make-A-Wish trip to Hawaii was wonderful for our family, especially for her. She was filled with anticipation and excitement throughout every excursion. We could simply bond as a family without worrying about the cost. The volunteers went above and beyond, and we felt truly blessed!” — Becky, Makayla’s mom 

Special thanks to Alaska Airlines, Make-A-Wish Hawaii, wish-granting volunteers Melanie and Jessica, and Airport Send-Off volunteers Ty and Ashley.