As her backyard full of 70 supporters cheered, wish kid Kalli used giant scissors to cut the blue ribbon, unveiling her brand-new treehouse. The day prior, the six-year-old from Glen Arm, MD rang the bell at Johns Hopkins Hospital, to symbolize the end of her chemotherapy treatment for leukemia. “It’s been a hard two and half years,” Kalli’s mom, Katie, said. “Being diagnosed at age four, she was at that in-between age of knowing what was going on and not. To see that transition to where she now tells people what is going on medically, we’ve seen her grow. She now wants to be a part of her treatment team and someday wants to be a doctor.”

Kalli’s wish to have a treehouse stemmed from the desire to have something to share with her younger sisters. With her whole family in mind, Kalli specifically requested to have bunk beds inside of the treehouse so she and her sisters could have sleepovers together.

Throughout her long road to recovery, Kalli was excited to see the treehouse being built in her yard for a few months and couldn’t wait to finally see the finished result on her wish day. In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a cancer survivor himself, joined Kalli and her family for the big reveal.  

“During my own cancer battle, it was the brave children just like Kalli who were my daily inspiration to keep fighting,” said Governor Hogan. “I am truly inspired and grateful for the incredible work of Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, and everyone who was involved in making Kalli’s wish come true.”

Within seconds of the ribbon cutting, Kalli and her sisters ran up the stairs and straight into the treehouse to look inside and found it full of Kalli’s favorite things. Outfitted with a kitchen play area, drawing station, book corner, and of course, three bunk beds, the girls immediately jumped on the beds with delight. The treehouse ceiling was adorned with painted stars. Kalli’s wish will forever serve as a reminder to her and her family of the strength she had to persevere through hardships and will allow her to make joyful memories at home for years to come!

A special thank you to Kalli’s vendor team, Superior Construction, Barrons Lumber, and Kathleen Soloway for their incredible work in making a one-of-a-kind treehouse for Kalli and photographer Carrie Dallhoff for capturing her wish reveal.