When she was 17, a ruptured liver mass turned out to be cancer. Emergency surgery followed by chemotherapy has helped her regain her health. Her wish to model recently came together with help from the team at 900 North Michigan Avenue Shops and she loved every minute.

“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” Natalie said a few weeks after her wish. “Everyone was so sweet. “

Awed by how many people came together to make her day special, she was especially surprised and inspired to find out that the photographer that day had also had a wish.

“I am more than my illness,” Natalie said about why her wish was important. “It showed me how I can be strong and successful.”

Inspired to help others, Natalie now works as an emergency medical technician while studying to become a nurse. About Make-A-Wish, she says having something amazing like a wish can help change a patient’s mindset, which she thinks is important for kids with critical illnesses. From her personal experience, having hope and feeling happy after going through so much is incredible.