When Max was first diagnosed with cancer, life became full of hospital visits and long days that were hard on his entire family. During his treatment, hospital staff referred Max and his family to Make-A-Wish Illinois. 

At the time, a wish felt impossible. Max was in active chemotherapy, and they could not travel more than an hour away from the hospital or their Chicagoland home. So, his family and medical team decided to put his wish on pause until he was finished with treatment. Two years later, his wish journey kicked into high gear. 

Max loves to swim, play outside, and be with his family. He wished to go to Hawaii, where he could have a full sensory experience doing all of his favorite things.  

Max’s wish team set to work, planning a truly custom experience down to the last detail. For the family, everything felt easy and every aspect of the trip was taken care of, allowing them to truly relax and enjoy this time together. “The little things made it so special – everyone was really taking care of our family,” Max’s mom Yuliia shared.  

Seeing Max happy swimming with the dolphins is one of Yuliia’s favorite memories. To see him so happy despite his diagnosis and all he had been through, his wishes came true.  

For Max and his family, the wish was more than a vacation. It was getting to experience pure joy after a hard time.  

“When your child is in treatment you don’t plan for anything but helping them get better and Make-A-Wish Illinois comes in to make life a little merrier.”