Meet Antonia
In 2020, Antonia and her family arrived in Colorado for spring break when the pandemic hit, and just as their vacation began, they had to return home. Soon after they received devastating news: Antonia was diagnosed with lymphoma. “It’s probably one of the worst experiences you can get when they give you the news,” said Antonia’s dad, Miguel. This began a time of fear and uncertainty, as multiple rounds of treatments and chemotherapy left Antonia withdrawn and depressed. “It was hard to see my 10-year-old go from being a happy, healthy kid to a girl who suffered,” said her mom, Elisa.

Antonia’s illness affected the entire family—especially her younger sister, Clara, who felt lost in the shadows of treatment. “Clara was with good friends, but without her mom and dad. And Antonia needed me at the hospital,” Elisa explained. But the sisters shared an unbreakable bond and navigated the challenges together during those dark times. “I just love having her around and always being able to have that best friend figure,” Antonia said. “I hope she knows how much I love her and that she can count on me for anything.”

A Second Chance
Antonia was referred to Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas and saw her wish as a second chance to experience the family trip cut short in 2020. She and Clara brainstormed and imagined a cozy ski town where they could relax and connect as a family. Antonia’s wish included two special requests: a self-care day with her sister and dining out for every meal. “After everything we’d gone through, we got to look forward to something,” Clara said.
Thanks to our community of supporters, Antonia’s wish for a ski trip brought her journey full circle from that pivotal spring break and provided the opportunity to celebrate her remission. The family enjoyed time on the slopes and dining out together, plus a girls’ day of pampering for Antonia and Clara. “As a mom, it has been the best wish because I saw both of my girls suffering in different ways,” Elisa said. “The emotional harm ... it’s being repaired now. Thanks to the wish, it’s healing.”

The Power of a Wish
Today Antonia is thriving and happy, and she credits her wish for bringing her family closer. “My wish means that I am able to finish off this chapter of my life with a happy experience and some closure,” Antonia said. “It was like a celebration of everything I’ve gone through and how strong my family is together. Now, we can just live.”