When Lucas was 13 months old, his parents noticed some concerning symptoms. After several visits to the doctor still did not explain his symptoms, they tried a different clinic altogether. The family was directed to return in five days if Lucas still was not feeling well.  Five days later they were directed to go straight to the ER, where Lucas was admitted to the ICU for blood transfusions and a bone marrow biopsy.

"The doctors said we were hours from losing him," shared Lucas' mom, Danica, about that day. Just 36 hours later the family went to St Jude’s in Memphis to treat his leukemia.

"Before starting treatment, Lucas was active, silly, and loved playing with his sister. Getting sick caused his spark to leave,” Danica said. “He didn't walk anymore; he stopped talking and stopped playing. He was a fraction of the little boy we knew, but he was doing much better physically [with treatment]."

As Lucas began to stabilize his family was able to move back to their home in western Illinois. Not long after moving back, Lucas watched A Goofy Movie with his younger sister Luna and immediately became obsessed, wanting to watch the movie every day.

"His eyes had so much joy in them when we watched Goofy," Danica shared, adding that he often quoted the film or sang the music throughout the day.

One day, Danica was shopping with Lucas' baby sister, Luna, who pointed out a stuffed Goofy on the shelf. Even though she was just a toddler, she knew her brother loved Goofy. Danica thought it would be a sweet surprise for Lucas and decided to buy it.

"When I tell you he was obsessed with it, I truly mean it," said Danica about the stuffed animal. "That Goofy was his best friend and support buddy. It went everywhere. Goofy never left his hands, except for bath time, and even that could be a struggle," Danica shared with a laugh.

Shortly after bringing Goofy home, Lucas began to correct those around him when they referred to him by his name. If you called him Lucas, he'd say, "No! My name is Goofy!"

While he was still in treatment, the child life specialist discussed referring him to Make-A-Wish. Lucas wished to meet his best friend Goofy in real life.

When was cleared to travel for his wish, Lucas and his family headed to Orlando, Florida, staying in a bright orange house at the Give Kids the World Village and visiting the Walt Disney World theme parks.

On the second day of the trip, Lucas' wish came true when he got to meet Goofy at a character breakfast. "His eyes were HUGE when he made eye contact with Goofy. He kept pointing and smiling."

Although he got a little shy when he finally got to meet him, Goofy gave him a big hug.

"My husband and I were in tears. Happy tears, of course," shared Danica. It felt like a major milestone—one they allowed themselves to fully absorb. "That moment was such an exhale of relief."

They even had another run in with Goofy (and his son, Max) in the theme parks the next day, which was a pleasant surprise. Lucas and Luna loved seeing the castle, meeting Goofy and his friends, and spending time at Give Kids the World.

Because of how little Lucas was at the time he was diagnosed, he and Luna’s first years of life were spent going in and out of hospitals and doctors' appointments. "They never got to be normal toddlers,” Danica said. “This trip gave them that. It gave us the opportunity to be a family and not be centered around chemo, but around each other."

After returning from the wish, Lucas continued bravely through the remaining months of his treatment plan. Shortly after his fourth birthday, Lucas got to ring the No More Chemo bell, and one day later, his new baby sister was born.

"To those that made this entire experience possible, THANK YOU!  You gave a little boy his identity back. You gave a struggling family the glue they needed to hold on for just a little bit longer. I can never repay the kindness, generosity, and healing that you have given my family."