Eight-year-old Eero from Oakland, California, grew up with a curiosity about the natural world—particularly paleontology and dinosaurs. “He really, really loves science,” says Eero’s mom, Jessica. “And most of his life he's been consuming books and shows about dinosaurs. It’s been an unyielding fascination for him.” 

Eero loves to share his knowledge about animals and dinosaurs too. “Archaeopteryx is my favorite dinosaur,” he says, his voice lighting up. “It's like a small raptor, but it can swim, glide, and climb.”

When Eero was five, Jessica and his dad, Joel, noticed he had some unusual symptoms—fatigue and intermittent fevers. "Everybody thought it was COVID," says Jessica. But after several tests and doctor visits, they received life-changing news: Eero had leukemia. "It rocked our world," Jessica recalls vividly.

After almost a month in the hospital, Eero faced three years of intense medical treatment at Kaiser Permanente Oakland. The worst part for him was the painful and frequent needle pokes into his chemo port, which he came to dread. “It happened a lot, like maybe a hundred times. I just hated it,” says Eero. “One time, I got so scared, I threw up.”

Jessica says Eero always needed to know exactly what was happening to feel a sense of control amid uncertainty. "He wasn't a kid you could trick. You had to be honest and tell him the truth," she says.

When Eero discovered he would receive a wish, his excitement was immediate. He came to his wish interview with a list of options, including having a pet falcon. Ultimately, Eero wished to step into the shoes of a paleontologist, to dig for dinosaur bones and uncover ancient secrets beneath the earth. "I wanted to meet a real paleontologist,” he shares. “Someone that has the job that I really, really want to do.”

From the very start, the family’s adventure was remarkable. Mid-flight to Montana, Alaska Airlines pilots gave Eero a surprise he'll never forget. "They did a shout-out and said, 'Eero, help us—we think we see some pterodactyls!'" Jessica remembers with a smile. Eero even got to visit the cockpit, further sparking his excitement. “It just landed so well with our family,” says Joel. “Make-A-Wish really listened and put something together that was special for Eero and for us.”

Upon arriving in Red Lodge, Eero was greeted warmly by the members of the Elevation Science Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to paleontology and earth science education. Alongside founder and Executive Director Jason Schein, Eero spent days brushing away dirt to uncover fossils and learning how to cast the bones in plaster and preparing them for transport, which included lots of messy hands-on work. “Your hands get all wet, which feels really good on a hot day,” says Eero. 

Diplodocus and Allosaurus dinosaur bones were among his top finds of the week. But what he most treasured was an invertebrate fossil that he got to take home. “My favorite part was finding the Devil's Toenail," Eero says proudly, holding tightly to the fossilized oyster shell. "It was alive during the dinosaur times." 

Meeting real paleontologists, like Schein, was just what Eero had hoped for. “He just jumped right into the work,” Schein says. “He was so willing to get in there and work and learn. He was the highlight of the week for the staff and everyone around him. It was just great to have him.” 

His parents found meaning in the trip as well. “It was a beautiful experience to be able to celebrate him and celebrate that he was healthy, in such a great spot together as a family,” says Jessica. “It was an incredible conclusion," adds Joel. 

For Eero, the wish experience has left a lasting impression. At school, he often shows his classmates the treasured fossil from his dig. His journey was more than just unearthing ancient artifacts—it was about rediscovering joy, curiosity, and the strength to keep exploring. 

And will his wish shape Eero’s future career aspirations? “I think if he doesn't become a paleontologist, he'll definitely do something in the sciences,” Jessica speculates. “Because it's definitely a passion.”