I wish to go to the Walt Disney World® Resort
Jen, wish granted 1995
cancer
From Magic to Medicine
From the special flourishes by cast members to the spectacular rides, Jen said her wish was a pivotal turning point in her life. It gave her the strength to persevere through her cancer and inspired her to pursue a career in medicine.
“Disney is so incredibly magical. It gave my family a chance to step away from the medical environment and just enjoy one another with no worries,” Jen said. “It’s more than just a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, it’s the experience that Make-A-Wish provides in conjunction with Disney. I am now a lifelong Make-A-Wish and Disney fan.”
Today, Jen, or Dr. Pratt to her pediatric patients, is caring for children in the very same hospital where she was treated. Her story has come full circle, back to where her life was transformed. Jen is now able to help improve the lives of other children battling critical illnesses with the gift of a wish referral and personally share in the transformation that comes with her patients’ wish experiences.
“Surviving childhood cancer is a uniquely profound experience. We often see the world in a slightly different light and have a unique ability to empathize with others facing challenging, life-altering situations,” Jen said. “To be able to share my experience with other kids going through the same thing – to be that bright light – is really powerful.”
Since 1980, Disney and Make-A-Wish have granted wishes for more than 150,000 children around the world – wishes just like Jen’s.
