What the Building Blocks of Community Create
"Have you met my friend Clucks?” asked 7-year-old Cameron, lifting his red Minecraft chicken stuffie toward me, keeping himself at a safe distance as a bashful smile emerged.
The day unfolded with gray sky and light drizzle – typical of Washington in April. But this was not a typical day for Cameron. For the past year, “typical” meant staying indoors, wondering when his next hospital poke would be and talking with only his mom, dad, and stuffie pal, Clucks.
But on this magical morning, Cameron stepped outside, sans a mask, for the first time in a year – eyes wide with excitement. Large construction trucks rolled in. His wish was happening!
Rewind to last April. Cameron’s chronic leg pain led to an MRI, which concluded with a life-altering diagnosis of leukemia. And then the dark cloud of cancer set in, forcing Cameron indoors, dealing with the pain of critical illness and isolation.
“It’s difficult to express the toll this takes on a parent as it turns your world upside down overnight. It changes your perspective on everything. It is the benefit and cost of lived experience,” said Cameron’s mom, Joy.
It’s difficult to express the toll this takes on a parent as it turns your world upside down overnight. It changes your perspective on everything.
Cameron’s mom, Joy
Building Block One – shifting focus.
When illness turns a family’s world upside down, Make-A-Wish says, “What can we do to help?” But a child hears this, “What would give you the most joy? What do you wish for?”
Since Cameron was preparing for a bone marrow transplant, he couldn’t travel or experience something indoors or be around crowds. But contemplating a wish lightened his spirit and took his mind off being sick. Scouring the internet for ideas, Cameron’s family found a screened-in gazebo – a safe space where Cameron could spend time with loved ones.
Cameron started making a list of people he wanted to see. “His wish came at the perfect time – when he was feeling really low from treatment,” said mom. This structure was more than a wish. It was rebuilding who Cameron was at his core – a sociable, engaging, imaginative kid who craved playing outside with his friends.
Building Block Two – finding caring community partners to help.
Cornerstone General Contractors, Inc. builds schools. But when Make-A-Wish approached them to help build Cameron’s structure, they jumped in. They even created custom construction gear for Cameron who told them he wanted to be a construction worker one day.
Cornerstone’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Director, Vicki Puckett, said, “We wanted to help a little boy who is battling his health, who lives in the district our business builds schools in and who attends one of the new elementary schools we built. Cameron is an inspiration to all of us!”
Generosity begets generosity. Cornerstone reached out to their Trade Partners who happily extended a hand, donating time and resources, including North River Concrete & Pumping, LLC, CALPORTLAND Company, LaRusso Concrete Inc. and Honey Bucket.
Make-A-Wish gathered support from other local businesses, including Red Robin Burgers, Woodinville Costco, and Yardistry. All were delighted to help and integral to making Cameron’s wish a reality.
Christy Kang, assistant VP Costco and Make-A-Wish trustee, said, “I knew the Woodinville Costco employees would love to be a part of this wish since Cameron lived so close. When I heard how they were planning to help, my husband and I couldn't miss it. It's impactful to think about how a few hours out of one day can make such a difference for Cameron and his family in the coming months. It's easy to make a difference, and you get back much more than you give.”
As plans commenced, Cameron picked out all the furniture for his gazebo, discussing how he could use the space and who he would invite over. “It was awesome,” said his mom. “And Cornerstone was such an amazing partner because they took the time to connect with Cameron and understood how excited he was to see the cement pumper!”
Building Block Three – helpers come together, moving gray clouds away.
On the first day of Cameron’s two-day build, cement trucks showed up at his home, undeterred by the drizzle. In four hours, they laid the gazebo foundation. Dressed in his neon yellow construction boss gear, Cameron stood nearby, smiling eyes, mouth running, Clucks by his side.
His mom said, “It’s hard when people see your kid, and you know they aren't really seeing him...they are seeing the cancer kid and the impact of the treatment. During the wish, everyone got to see the Cameron we know - talkative and smiling. That was the best thing ever.”
On wish day, the sun came out! Helpers from Costco, Cornerstone, and Make-A-Wish showed up to assemble the gazebo, bringing burgers and cake, putting a smile back on Cameron’s face.
Building Block Four – seeing the light.
A month after Cameron’s wish, his mom reflected, “Having the ability to connect with other people in a place where we don't have to wear masks and can be protected from the sun (and bugs) will help us on this journey of recovery. Like every family with a child with a cancer diagnosis, you don't know what the future will bring. This wish brought us hope and connection.”
Connection. It’s a basic human need. With supporters like you, we can build meaningful dreams.
Special thanks to Cornerstone General Contracting Inc; Costco Woodinville; Yardistry; wish-granting volunteers Tricia Kaminski and Emily Lukken; Scott Harder Photography; Dan Manning Photography and Lucy Henderson Photography.