Thirteen-year-old Zoey from Alameda, California, discovered K-Pop music in middle school. She enjoyed watching the dance videos and collecting memorabilia from her favorite bands. When Zoey was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, her connection to the music grew deeper—it became a powerful source of hope and strength.  

A lingering cold over winter break was the family’s first inkling that something wasn’t right. Concerned, Zoey’s parents, Frances and Jeremy, took her in to the see the doctor. “They did a scan,” Zoey recalls. “That’s when they discovered something was wrong.” 

As it happened, Zoey’s wish would also mark a major milestone for Make-A-Wish Great Bay Area: the chapter’s 10,000th wish granted since its founding in 1984.

Zoey’s volunteer wish granters hosted her epic wish reveal at Confetti K-Pop, a music and collectibles shop in San Leandro that had personal meaning for her. “I found out about Confetti K-Pop during my treatment,” she says. “I would go there sometimes to look around for albums. Having my reveal there was special because it reminded me of how far I had come.”  

In South Korea, the family’s adventure began with an incredible K-Pop tour that blended music with culture and history. 

“We had this tour guide that used K-Pop to showcase other parts of Korean culture,” Zoey explains. “We hiked up a mountain that was used in a K-drama scene. It was cool for me, but still interesting for my mom, dad, and brother, who don’t know as much about K-Pop.”  

The family explored Lotte World, a massive theme park and recreation complex in Seoul, and took the subway to Hongdae—a neighborhood known for its art and music scene, street food, and local shops. “We went shopping mostly for clothes,” Zoey says, “but they also had cool accessories and plushies of Korean cartoons.” 

Zoey loved experiencing the culture behind her favorite music. One of her most memorable moments came at a river near their hotel, surrounded by skyscrapers. “At night, everyone in the city would come dip their feet in the water,” she says. “I was sitting there by the river with my feet in the water, and I looked around and realized this is what we came here for. I felt content in that moment—a feeling I hadn’t experienced since before my diagnosis.”   

Throughout the week, Zoey and her family also toured traditional architecture, tea houses, and palaces, and made sure to visit South Korea’s famous convenience stores—known for their popular ice cups and drink combinations—as much as possible. “I think the scenery and the convenience stores were highlights of the trip for the whole family,” Zoey says, laughing.  

Shortly after they returned home, our chapter celebrated Zoey’s wish at the annual Walk for Wishes event on August 23, 2025. The festivities included a plaque presentation from CEO Betsy Biern, honoring Zoey as Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area’s 10,000th wish recipient; an on-stage interview with KRON4 anchor Reyna Harvey; and a special K-Pop surprise featuring the Phoenix Dance Team, a K-Pop dance troop based in Sonoma.     

“I did like being on stage,” Zoey says, “but the highlight for me was actually walking the course. Looking back from the front of the walk, you realize how many people are here to support, not just you, but the whole cause. It's really special.”  

Today, Zoey is back at school, playing volleyball and soccer again. “Last year was tough coming back after being out for three months, but this year is better,” she says. “I’m taking different electives and doing things that I probably wouldn’t have thought of before all this.”   

Reflecting on her journey, Zoey shares, “I feel like my wish is a part of me now. We've never had an experience like that, so different from what we normally do, and it's still ingrained in my mind.”