Adam
wish granted 2010

When wish kids are granted a wish, it’s more than just a great experience for a day, two days or a week. That experience improves the quality of life for them and their entire family. Back in 2010, Adam, 4, wished to be a football player. Adam’s life-changing wish to play for the Carolina Panthers came with being the No. 1 draft pick, meeting all the coaches and players and being the MVP for the team on game day.

Now 13, Adam sees the long-lasting and transformative impact of his wish. “My wish has meant the world to me,” he said. “It wasn’t just the day of my wish that was so special. It has been a long time since my wish was granted and Make-A-Wish^® has stayed connected to me and my family. The day my wish was granted was like the best day of my life!”

Addison
wish granted 2016

At just 6 years old, Addison, diagnosed with cancer, wished to train with astronauts. Now two years later and cancer-free, Addison proves to us that reaching for the stars can be a life-changing experience. “Addison still wears her space suit, which was a gift from her volunteer wish granters,” said Addison’s mom, Cristi. “The wish gave her hope; it gave her family a chance to play and have fun. It opened her eyes to so much in the world and inspired her to be anything she wants!” 

Ezra
wish granted 2004

When Ezra was 7 years old, he wished to be a firefighter. Ezra’s wish changed his life forever – helping him get through his illness and confirming his passion to serve others. 

Now 22, Ezra serves as a volunteer firefighter. “If I hadn’t had my wish experience as a kid, I might not have had the inspiration to join the fire department in the first place and be where I am today,” Ezra said. Read more about Ezra’s story on Wish Nation next week!

Hunter
wish granted 2018

A wish-come-true helps children feel stronger, more energetic and more willing and able to battle their critical illness. For 5-year-old Hunter, his larger-than-life wish to be a dinosaur served as the perfect distraction from his leukemia diagnosis. 

“During his wish he had a hurt leg, but you would have never known he was wearing a boot on his foot under his dinosaur costume,” said Hunter’s mom, Amanda. “He was running around and playing like nothing was wrong. That day, he was only focused on being a dinosaur and he didn’t have to worry about being sick. I think it is something he will always remember.”

Kionna
wish granted 2016

A wish doesn’t signal the end. For many, it’s the beginning of hope and the start of feeling normal again. For Kionna, her wish to be a cowgirl in 2016 was a chance to enjoy being a kid again after she was diagnosed with cancer at just 6 years old.

Now, three years later, Kionna still thinks about her awe-inspiring wish as the first feel-good experience since fighting – and beating – her cancer. 

“The wish gave Kionna hope in her fight against cancer. It made her believe that she could do more than be sick,” said Kionna’s grandmother, Katetrinia. “Now, three years cancer-free, it continues to remind her that she can do anything she puts her mind to.”

Yaretzi
wish granted 2018

A wish-come-true can mark a positive turning point in a child’s battle for health. Just ask 8-year-old Yaretzi whose life was forever changed for the better during her wish to swim with mermaids.

Yaretzi’s under-the-sea adventure proved anything is possible and gave her strength to focus on the possibilities of tomorrow instead of the challenges of today. Her mom, Maria, says that since the wish, “She is a fighter, a warrior, who has learned to move forward with her condition.”