I wish to meet Jason Mraz
Emily
17
brain tumor
Emily's wish to meet Jason Mraz creates beautiful memories
Because of her brain tumor, Emily often needs to be reminded several times for memories to stick.
When word arrived her wish was being granted, Emily’s family was ready to share the wonderful news every few days until it stuck. Emily was meeting Jason Mraz.
“When I got the opportunity to make my wish – I knew that’s what I wanted. There wasn’t a question about it. I told my mom immediately I wanted to meet Jason Mraz.” Emily shared the artist had been a longtime presence in her life and his music supported her through the ups and downs of her diagnosis, treatment and today, as she learns to live with her condition.
Her life changed around 6th grade, when doctors couldn’t figure out why Emily was losing weight, her behaviors were changing, and her grades were suffering. Going from straight A’s to failing most of her classes. Emily’s mother Allison said, “It was a real struggle with her being so sick and just not knowing how to help her, not knowing what was going on and the slow path of wait and see.”
It wasn’t until three years later, around 9th grade, that Emily was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The reality of the diagnosis hit her hard. Emily remembers, “the moment I realized something was wrong, it really clicked this isn’t normal. And from there I got really sad and honestly I was depressed for quite a while.”
It was during her ICU stays and visits for chemo and radiation treatments when Emily would listen to Mraz’s music for a source of joy. In the hospital to pass time, she and her mother recorded videos of themselves singing along with his songs.
His music was always the thing that made me the happiest. His music always uplifted me and brought me back to my center. He’s had such an impact on my journey and on my life.
Emily
wish kid
Emily visited Jason Mraz on his California farm
When she heard she qualified for a wish, Emily knew it was something she needed, “It made me realize that there are days that I do struggle and just kind of want to give up, but I remember things like this and know there is good in the world.”
The pandemic delayed Emily’s wish, but when traveling protocols lifted, Make-A-Wish was able to grant her wish. The family traveled to meet Mraz on his farm in California. Emily and her family toured the avocado farm, ate fresh guacamole, smelled coffee beans, met Mraz’s two cats, sang songs together, and chatted like old friends. Emily described meeting her idol and the whole experience as, “Bliss.”
Emily’s memory challenges will continue, as the tumor removal was quite extensive. Her family has created fun ways to remind her of the wish day, giving her little quizzes about the things she did with Jason or the things they spoke about. Since the trip Emily has been able to hold onto those memories made at Mraz’s farm as sources of joy and comfort.
Allison said, “It was so beautiful to have such a sweet experience at the end of our journey. Not the end really, her journey continues and there is this sweet spot she can look back on.”