15-year-old cancer survivor Natalie has pledged her wish, granted by Make-A-Wish® Greater Bay Area, to raise awareness for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. 

OAKLAND (July 22, 2020) – When she was in the seventh grade, Natalie was diagnosed with lymphoma. She faced a grueling series of uncomfortable and painful treatments. During this tough time, Natalie found comfort in two things–the caring staff at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, who were always there to cheer her up and help guide her family, and knitting, a hobby she picked up to help pass the time.  

When Natalie learned that she would be granted a wish by Make-A-Wish® Greater Bay Area, she made the heartfelt choice to give back. Her one true wish is to support Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and raise awareness for their Social Services Fund for Families, which helps support children and their families as they navigate life changes associated with hospitalization and/or a medical condition. “This is a once in a lifetime thing,” she explains. “I want to help them in any way I can.”  

Natalie’s knitting challenge will launch on July 23–her fifteenth birthday and the last week of her cancer treatments–and run through August 31. You can participate by knitting or crocheting hats for teens and sending them to Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area at 1333 Broadway, Suite 200, Oakland, CA 94612. All hats will be donated to the Teen Health Van, a service within Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford that provides expert care for the community’s uninsured and high-risk kids and young adults. Share photos on social using #KnittingWithNatalie and tag Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area (@SFWish) and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford (@StanfordChildrens).  

While Make-A-Make-A-Wish® is able to safely grant wishes like Natalie’s, more than 5,000 wishes nationwide that involve traveling, gathering, or other health and safety concerns are still on hold as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.   

“In a time of uncertainty and challenge, our team is continually inspired by our amazing wish kids and their extraordinary resilience,” says Make-A-Make-A-Wish® Greater Bay Area CEO Betsy Biern. “Natalie’s generous campaign is a shining example of the power of a wish. Wishes can reach far beyond the child and touch the lives of families, volunteers, supporters, medical professionals, and entire communities.”  

Photos of Natalie and her family are available upon request. Natalie is available to be interviewed, as well as Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area CEO Betsy Biern.  Media Contact: Ben Feder via [email protected] or 415.321.7380.