At just four years old, Joseph's family knew something wasn’t right. What started as back pain quickly worsened. He struggled to walk and cried out when trying to get out of bed. An initial doctor’s visit showed no cause for concern, but his parents trusted their instincts and rushed him to the hospital. 

“When the doctor closed the curtain and said, ‘You might want to sit down,’ my heart dropped,” shared Joseph’s mom, Sharon. “He said Joseph didn’t fracture his back, it was worse. He was four years old. No parent is ever prepared to hear the word cancer about their child.” 

Joseph was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), beginning a medical journey that would stretch over more than three years of active treatment. His childhood became defined by hospital stays, chemotherapy, spinal taps and complex medication schedules that sometimes totaled more than 100 medications a day. 

“His appetite changed. His body changed. But you don’t get a choice, you just keep going for your kid,” said Sharon. 

Through it all, Joseph persevered, surrounded by a compassionate school community, a dedicated medical team and his family’s unwavering support.  

During treatment, Joseph’s family was introduced to Make-A-Wish Arizona. At first, they hesitated, unsure whether to accept the wish, until they realized it belonged to their son.

“Make-A-Wish helped provide a bright spot in my life, in a time that a lot would see as dark more than anything," Joseph shared. “I was still going through chemo and taking my medicine, but it turned into a happy memory during a really hard time for me and my family.” 

For Joseph, the wish wasn’t just an escape, it became a defining moment. 

“Getting to spend that time just being with my family, that long trip together, was probably the most impactful trip I’ll ever take with them,” said Joseph. 

Those memories extended far beyond childhood. Now an adult, Joseph returned to Disney not only as a wish alum, but to create new memories inspired by the joy he first experienced through Make-A-Wish.  

Eighteen years after his wish, Joseph proposed to his girlfriend, Brooke, at Disneyland. With Disney deeply woven into his Make-A-Wish experience, childhood memories and love of The Princess and the Frog, Joseph knew it was the perfect place to pop the question. 

“She was befuddled!” he recalled. “It was another just beautifully cherished moment in Disneyland, which has given me so much happiness throughout my entire life.” 

Brooke said yes and as the happy couple looks to the future, they are eagerly beginning to plan their wedding and hope to weave a touch of Disney magic into the celebration, including a Disney inspired cocktail for their guests. 

“The biggest surprise is that the wish doesn’t end when the trip is over,” said Sharon. “Joseph is an adult now and that wish is still part of who he is. That’s the power of Make-A-Wish.”