Bryanna's Bananas Zoo Wish - ODM

Eighteen-year-old wish kid Bryanna is absolutely bananas for animals - esepcially monkeys. The resilient cancer-fighter from Woodlawn, MD loves lots of things teenage girls her age do  - movies, shopping, and working out - but one thing that sets her apart is her love of monkeys. Monkeys are her absolute favorite. When Bryanna’s wish granter volunteers first talked to her about her wish, she immediately knew she wanted to wish for a behind-the-scenes zoo experience!

Bryanna and her family jetted off to Georgia for a “wild” behind-the-scenes tour at North Georgia Wildlife and Safari Park. Zookeepers took her and her family on an exclusive trip into enclosures to meet the animals. She was able to get up-close and personal with a lot of animals and interact with them directly, including cuddling a baby pig and feeding an ostrich.

However, nothing compared to holding a monkey. When the monkey was placed in her arms, Bryanna smiled in disbelief and stared at it lovingly as it gripped onto her. The two quickly became fast friends and Bryanna said she wished she could take him home!

According to the Make-A-Wish 2022 Wish Impact Survey, 94% of wish alumni said that their wish made them feel more joyful, confident and hopeful for their future. As Bryanna looks back on her medical journey, her wish will stand out as a joyous memory during a challenging time. Her one-of-kind experience is sure to create memories that last a lifetime.

Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic honors our uniformed services families, with wish kids like Bryanna whose parents are serving or have served in the military.