On March 31, 2023, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic celebrated a significant milestone of 11,000 wishes granted in Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Over the last 40 years, children with critical illnesses in our own community have benefited from a unique wish experience that is as special as they are.

Each wish kid is a shining star, just like our 11,000th wish recipient, Noa.

The six-year-old from Olney, MD, is a bright and playful child who is normally full of energy. Her medical journey started with a small bump on her head which turned into more bumps, frequent bruising, and pounding headaches. Noa did not feel like herself, which prompted her parents to take her to the doctor for a blood test. When the tests revealed Noa’s blood platelet count was dangerously low, she was rushed to Children’s National Hospital and ultimately, diagnosed with leukemia.

Noa’s treatment caused intense bouts of nausea, fevers and ultimately liver failure as a result of the harsh medication. Noa developed neuropathy, which robbed her of her ability to walk. On her gloomiest days, she would listen to hours of her favorite upbeat music with her sister, Maya, by her side to lift her spirits. As she regained her strength, she would dream about her favorite activity of singing and dancing with her friends.

During this time, the family learned that Noa was eligible for a wish. Upon meeting Noa, her wish granters were inspired by Noa’s ideas for her wish. “She stole our hearts right away with her spunk,” the two volunteers shared when asked to reflect on this special moment. Noa and her family have experienced first-hand the power that a community can bring to a child facing a critical illness. The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, Noa and her sister’s school, has been a place of friendship and happy memories. After her diagnosis, Noa was unable to return to school and missed the second half of the year. School became a reminder of the childhood that Noa was missing because of her cancer battle. In September 2022, Noa returned to school and her family celebrated having both her and her sister back in the community that has meant so much to them.

As Noa worked through her wish day ideas with her wish granting volunteers, she knew she wanted to give back to her friends and teachers and celebrate her hard-fought battle together. Noa landed on the idea of a concert at her school, but this would not be just any concert – she wanted to perform with one of her favorite artists, KIDZ BOP!

When Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic approached her school with Noa’s wish idea, they responded with a resounding, “anything for Noa!” The school administration quickly joined in the planning process to ensure Noa had the wish day of her dreams.

With the red carpet rolled out, three KIDZ BOP kids greeted Noa on her wish day. Noa and her friends donned big smiles as KIDZ BOP taught them the moves for one of their most popular dances: the KIDZ BOP Shuffle. Quickly, the kids pulled out their sharpies for an autograph session, lots of pictures, and of course, tons of KIDZ BOP swag.

It was then time to take center stage in the school’s gymnasium, filled with over 500 screaming elementary school-aged kids, teachers, administrators, families and friends. As soon as Noa started to perform, her inner superstar shined through. KIDZ BOP led a teacher dance battle and the entire crowd of her peers erupted with cheers, claps and shouts of support. Within minutes of the performance, Noa took the mic and commanded the stage.

“Noa is the kid that everyone wants to be around because she is fun, silly and loves to dance and sing. She walks in the room and lights it up,” her mom, Emily, said. “Today was a big deal for us. It was hard to imagine months ago when we were thinking about this, that Noa would actually be in a place to enjoy her wish day. It is a big milestone for us and for Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic.”

Noa’s wish day marked the chapter’s 11,000th wish granted and was a celebration of how far she has come in her medical journey.

“A year ago, we would practice [walking] a couple of steps with dad holding her,” Lisa Alvarez, Noa’s oncology nurse at Children’s National Hospital, said. “Now, she’ll see me and run to me and say, ‘Ms. Lisa, I was looking for you!’ This is why we do what we do, because we’re giving these kids their life back, their ability and their quality of life.”

Noa’s wish day was electric, filled with love from all those who care about and support her. Noa’s wish embodies the hope a wish provides at a time when it’s most needed, the joy it brings as it comes true, and the lasting impact felt by all involved.

A special thanks to PixMob, who gave over 500 LED wristbands that synced various colors and patterns to the music and to Sunflower Bakery who provided a take-home cookie to commemorate Noa’s special wish day.