Kaylan, 9, from Chicago, has always had a deeply caring spirit, wanting to help people she has seen around the city while traveling to and from her many doctors' appointments. Diagnosed as a toddler with a life-threatening vascular disease, Kaylan has struggled with complications from her illness, including limiting her activity to less strenuous pursuits. Despite the challenges of her condition, she continues to amaze her family and friends through her kind and caring personality.

When meeting with her Make-A-Wish volunteers, Kaylan shared that helping people is what she really wanted to do.

“She has a huge heart and is very observant at such a young age that others may be less fortunate than herself even after all she has gone through medically,” Kaylan’s wish granting volunteer shared. “Helping others was actually the very first thing she was passionate about when we met her, so this wish was perfect to make her feel that she was making an impact in her community.”

Kaylan worked with Make-A-Wish to create care packages for kids who are facing challenges such as homelessness. Designed especially by her, Kaylan carefully considered what to add, making sure everything would be helpful. Each kit includes hygiene products, towels, games, and gum, which Kaylan believed could help children who suffer from anxiety. 

Kaylan’s mom felt so proud when Kaylan chose to use the opportunity of her wish to help someone else in need, but she wasn’t at all surprised since Kaylan has always cared about helping others. On the day of her wish Kaylan’s family and a couple of close friends traveled to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and Ignite to deliver care packages. These agencies serve young Chicagoans experiencing shelter insecurity, 

“In granting Kaylan’s wish, we were honored to work with Mercy Home and Ignite, both organizations with a long history of doing much needed and important work to support Chicago’s youth,” said Stephanie Springs, CEO of Make-A-Wish Illinois. “Kaylan’s wish will have a lasting impact for her own life and in the lives of the children who will receive her care packages.”