After a series of life-altering migraines and moments of memory loss, Jude was unexpectedly diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 15 years old. Right after receiving the diagnosis, Jude mentally and emotionally braced himself for the worst-case scenario. His father, Jason, who had himself experienced a life-threatening illness when he was a child, immediately told Jude that together, they would fight this.

While Jude was in the hospital for months during treatment, he realized many other children in the hospital didn’t have the support system he did. He also realized that for himself, any distraction from the seclusion and fear of a devastating health diagnosis was a gift.

When his medical team referred Jude for a wish from Make-A-Wish Michigan, Jude wanted to give his wish to the children at the pediatric hospital where he was treated. He wished for a Christmas in July toy giveaway, to give the kids something to take their minds off what they were going through. Jude didn’t want attention, especially as he was very private about his own diagnosis, and hadn’t even planned to be at the event.

As he became increasingly aware of the profound ripple effect his wish had on children, families, medical teams, and communities throughout the state, Jude found himself compelled to share his own medical journey. Through firsthand experience and witnessing the joy reflected in the smiles and laughter of the children receiving gifts, he discovered the transformative power within a single wish. “It (the wish journey) is an important part of a child’s medical treatment — a springboard for families going forward,” wish dad Jason said.

Watching Jude interact with other pediatric patients during the Christmas gift drops and see the healing power of this experience, in person, was a gift to everyone who experienced it.