Lynetta’s Wish Marks a Turning Point that Restored Her Hope for Brighter

Lynetta is a sassy child with a big heart and a passion for her friends. More than anything, she loves spending time with her best friend Lila. “They’re absolutely inseparable when they get together,” said LaCambrise, Lynetta’s mom. “They’d be sisters in another world.”

But everything changed when Lynetta came home from school one afternoon experiencing painful symptoms. Her worried mom took her to the hospital, where a series of tests revealed the devastating news that Lynetta had cancer. “We all cried and cried when we got the news,” LaCambrise said. “It was really hard on all of us to see her in pain.”

Through the agony and loneliness of her medical journey, Lynetta found strength in her friendship with Lila. “After all the pain, you just see Lynetta come to life around Lila,” LaCambrise said. “Spending time with her is so good for Lynetta – she gets very lonely.” But shortly after Lynetta’s diagnosis, Lila called her in tears. She said she was moving away to Ohio. “I felt so bad for my baby,” LaCambrise said. “Lila’s friendship helped her get through the tough times.”

After Lila left, Lynetta focused on her treatment journey, despite deeply missing her best friend. They talked on the phone all the time, but did not get a chance to see each other for years. When Lynetta connected with Make-A-Wish, her face lit up with excitement, her heart hopeful. She knew that her wish was to take a road trip to see Lila again. “I saw a change in her after she knew her wish was coming,” LaCambrise said. “She lit up more.”

Soon, Lynetta and her mom were off to Lila’s new home in Ohio. When they crossed into the state, they were met with a police escort that ushered them straight to Lila’s house. As soon as Lynetta saw Lila, she squealed with excitement and embraced her friend. “They hugged for forever – Lynetta couldn’t let go,” LaCambrise said. “It was pure joy. All of us were laughing and crying. To see her that joyful after everything filled my heart.”

The pair ran into Lila’s playroom to talk and catch up. After all the time apart, it meant so much for them to be together again. “We could hear their laughter from the living room,” LaCambrise said. “It was just like old times, but even better. They cherished every second.”

During Lynetta’s wish, she and Lila spent fun-filled days exploring aquariums and museums, giggling as they jumped on trampolines and even playing dress up and posing for a photoshoot in matching outfits. Today, the photos represent beloved memories from what Lynetta refers to as the most transformative experience of her life. Now cancer-free, her wish was a turning point that sparked her belief that she can, indeed, experience life beyond her illness.

“Thank you for making my daughter’s [wish] come true,” LaCambrise said. “Kids like Lynetta need that kind of moment. She had been depressed, and this wish showed her that it’s possible to feel joy again. It gave her something to look forward to and more confidence as she moves past her illness and into a healthy new chapter.”