Dana's Heartfelt Wish Results in a Joyous Reunion with Her Best Friend

Browsing social media one day, Janie came across a video of Dana and "fell in love with her." Janie instantly knew that she wanted to adopt Dana.

Janie has provided Dana with the best possible care, but in December 2018 Dana was diagnosed with a respiratory failure. Dana had a full cardiac arrest two times, resulting in significant brain damage and loss of vision. She now relies on a tracheostomy to aid her breathing.

Though she has a hard life, Dana inspires her family with her positivity. A big reason why Dana shines on the outside is because of the warm feelings of friendship inside her heart. While in Mongolia, Dana met a young boy named Nixon. The duo quickly became inseparable best friends until Nixon found a foster home.

"[Dana and Nixon are] like two little old people who have been together for 80 years," Janie said.

When the family connected with Make-A-Wish^®, Dana knew that her one true wish was to be reunited with her best friend. "One of the ways Dana communicates is blinking her eyes to say yes," Janie said. "[When we asked her], 'Do you want to see Nixon?,' man, did her eyes start blinking!"

Nixon and his family traveled from Florida to meet Dana and her family in Oregon for an unforgettable week. They visited the zoo, where Dana and Nixon got to see elephants and giraffes and pet bunnies. Dana and Nixon also got to paint and share plenty of laughs during "silly" string fights. Even while she rested, "Nixon would get on the bed and touch her arm and say, 'I love you, Dana. How are you doing?'" Janie said.

When the time came to say goodbye, Nixon and Dana vowed to keep in touch through video chats. Nixon also left Dana with a touching message. "He said, 'I love you, Dana. I'll miss you. Don't give up,'" Janie said.

For Dana, her wish to reconnect with Nixon has provided her with a source of hope and emotional strength. "I don't know that Dana would still be here, honestly, without that wish," Janie said. "That seemed to be a turn-around point for her."

Through Dana's shining example, Janie has reaffirmed what really matters most in life. "If you don't have people that you love and that love you, you really have nothing," Janie said. "And those two, from very early on, they learned the true meaning of life."