Megan's wish to meet a Disney Imagineer

In the spring of 2021, Megan was a cheerful and carefree high school sophomore. In just over a 24-hour period, Megan went from first spotting symptoms to her first dose of chemotherapy. Megan was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. This is an extremely rare and very aggressive form of leukemia that is treated with daily chemotherapy for nine to twelve months.

Megan was determined to not let cancer stand in her way. She continued to dream, look for the miracles, and stay strong in her faith. Shortly after her diagnosis, our social worker told her she would be granted a wish from Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. This instantly became a beacon of hope and something to look forward to. The infinite wish possibilities were often discussed when sitting on the bathroom floor, fighting off bouts of nausea. It was a way to escape the harsh reality of the moment and escape to a happy place.

After brainstorming countless ideas and options, Megan settled on the perfect wish for her. She has always loved all things Disney and has been fascinated with construction from a young age. Megan decided to make her wish... “To Meet a Disney Imagineer!”

Megan’s wish trip was magical! She spent the day with a dozen of Disney’s most amazing Imagineers! She learned the process of taking a blue-sky dream, shaping it into reality and then how to build it. It was a day she (and the rest of our family) will never forget!

Megan is currently cancer-free! She is entering her senior year of college, majoring in Construction Management. She plans to work full time in construction safety or project management, perhaps even at Disney someday. Megan’s wish not only was a light in the darkness of cancer, but it has transformed into the beacon guiding her career path.

We will be forever grateful to the wish makers at Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. Not just for a magical day, but for giving us hope when the world was so heavy. We have found life-long friends with many of these amazing workers. Megan and our family continue to stay involved with the Wish family we now hold close to our hearts.

Helping to grant a wish is a gift. A gift for the child, who is facing the unthinkable. It is a gift for the parents, who have been rocked to their core. It is a gift for the whole family who have been pulled in all directions to accommodate treatments and hospital stays. It is a gift that will bring smiles, create countless memories, and forever change a life.