Auri's wish to go on an island adventure creates priceless memories
Auri’s childhood has been shaped by more than just playdates and picture books.
She lives with a serious respiratory disorder that puts her at constant risk for dangerous lung infections and repeated hospital stays. For her family, each day brings worry, medication schedules, and the heavy weight of uncertainty.
But when Auri was granted a wish, it was full of light: she longed to experience the calm, carefree joy of island life, inspired by the characters and stories she loves.
Her wish took her and her family to Hawaii, where they immersed themselves in the rhythm and warmth of the islands.
Through the power of her wish, Auri embraced the joy of the Hawaiian Islands, exploring the Polynesian culture and watching the sun dip below the horizon on a glowing sunset cruise.
For the first time in a long time, Auri wasn’t a patient - she was just a kid, free to laugh, explore, and feel joy without limits. Her mom, Amber, called the wish trip "a life-changing gift."
“I was able to relax and not worry about money, so I was more present to enjoy my daughter's joy,” she shared.
To see her smile and say, ‘This is the best day of my life.’ And to hear her laughing — nothing compares to hearing your child laugh like that.
Amber, Auri's Mom
This wish wasn’t just a vacation, it was a break from fear. A pause in the pressure. A chance to make joyful memories that will outshine the hard ones.
"It tells her that she matters, her joy matters, that she is more than just her illness," shared her family. "The wish is a positive core memory to look back on during tough times."
This Summer of Wishes, we need your help to grant wishes for 600+ waiting kids who are facing critical illnesses!
Our busiest season, when demand to grant wishes is the highest, is also when support for our mission slows down the most.
This wish was a way for her to see herself as a hero of her own story, brave and full of heart. It's been a lifeline wrapped in hope for brighter days ahead.