A side-by-side comparison of two photos. The left is of wish alum Dan as a young child; the right is of Dan as a recent college graduate.

Where Are They Now: Dan 

Dan as a child (left) and Dan as a college graduate now (right).

At the age of three, Dan spent a week at Walt Disney World® Resort with his family.

“I remember we had our own place and to get in there was this large cartoon mouth you had to throw pennies in,” Dan said. “I thought that was the coolest thing when I was three.” 

Following his wish in 1999, a heart transplant and then a massive right-sided stroke in 2013, Dan has focused his career aspirations on the healthcare field.  

“My ultimate goal is to help people that are in similar situations—or worse situations—that I was in,” Dan explained. “I think my wish definitely plays a factor in why I want to go into the healthcare field because every sick child should have the opportunity to have fun and enjoy life, despite their adverse health situations.” 

Dan recently graduated from Hope College with a degree in communications. 

My ultimate goal is to help people that are in similar situations—or worse situations—that I was in. 
Dan, wish alum