His journey with Make-A-Wish® Arizona and Nike began during his freshman year of high school, after he was referred for a wish.  

Derek’s Wish Manager and volunteer Wish Granters worked diligently to plan every detail of his wish, right down to the laces. Derek trusted that something extraordinary was on the horizon, and he was right. His wish led him to Nike World Headquarters in Oregon. 

When the big day of his wish finally arrived, it exceeded everything he had imagined. The adventure kicked off at the airport, where Derek was treated like a VIP. He boarded the plane first, got a behind-the-scenes look at the cockpit, and even met the pilot. “They went out of their way to do that for me,” he said, touched by the effort to make every moment special from the very beginning.

At Nike’s world headquarters, the excitement only grew. Joined by his brother and a close family friend, Derek toured several of the brand’s most iconic buildings, including those named after legends like Serena Williams and LeBron James. Being surrounded by such athletic greatness added deep meaning to the day.

“That was my favorite part of the day,” he shared. “Not everyone gets a chance to get their names out there, and they gave me the chance to write my name as well.” It was a moment that made him feel truly seen and valued, like part of something much bigger than himself.

Derek not only collaborated with the Nike design team to create a custom, one-of-a-kind shoe inspired by his love of the brand’s iconic sneakers, but he also received an exclusive pair of sneakers reserved only for Wish Kids who visit Nike’s headquarters.

“It was way more than just going to a Nike facility and designing a shoe; it was an adventure,” Derek said. And for him, it truly was the adventure of a lifetime, one that left a lasting mark on both him and his family. 

For Derek’s mom, his wish experience represents “creer más en el mismo, si se propone algo lo puede lograr” — “to believe more in himself, that if he sets his mind to something, he can achieve it.”

Derek’s wish gave him more than a pair of sneakers; it gave him the chance to believe in the power of his dreams.