Shark Week for Emily

Emily, 15, is a typical teen who loves to hang out with her friends, go to drama club, and has a passion to be a marine biologist. For a long time, this southern Illinois girl has loved the ocean and lights up when she talks about sharks and anything relating to the sea. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, she has faced many medical struggles, though still strives to reach her goals. 

When Emily was referred to Make-A-Wish she didn’t realize that her wish could be 100% unique to her personality and tailored to what she is passionate about. In meeting volunteers Emily was initially indecisive about what she wanted, but during the discovery conversation she realized that she needed to talk about herself, which helped to reveal her true wish: to be a marine biologist. 

Make-A-Wish took Emily’s request to heart and her family flew to Florida to go shark tagging with experts at the University of Miami. Normally reserved, Emily's transformation during this experience led her to open up and eagerly try new things. She went right into shark tagging and was ecstatic. On the other days of her trip, she explored the ocean by jet skiing to a lighthouse to take pictures and go fishing. Emily caught the first fish and when she let it go a shark caught it!

In reflecting on the wish experience, Emily’s father shared that it helped Emily see her own path to becoming a marine biologist, helping her focus on how to get there through high school and college studies. She realized that just because she has a critical illness does not mean that she can’t do what she aspires to do. The wish reaffirms that her goals can be much bigger. Emily came out of her wish with more confidence as well as giving her a new appreciation that there is something out there for her.