Heiden had already been though 18-months of intensive treatment to battle his leukemia. It goes without saying that no child ever deserves that. And no parent should ever have to see the ferocity with which cancer can destroy childhood. And yet on that morning, Make-A-Wish touched our family in a very powerful way. 

Heiden loves Star Wars. The fictional universe has been a comforting and safe place for him to escape to. He has always dreamed of being a Jedi, so we knew he’d wish to visit Star Wars Galaxy Edge at Universal Studios.

Our trip to Universal was nothing short of truly magical. His smile was unending on the entire trip. He ate pizza and ice cream every day. He took pictures with Chewie, kissed BB8, high fived with Rey, piloted the Millennium Falcon, and battled with Darth Vader on his way to becoming a Jedi. 

In his own words, it was “Rainbow 1,000.” (He says rainbow is the color of the best mood possible and 1,000 is the biggest number he uses in Kindergarten.)

It wasn’t just a great trip, but also a powerful metaphor. When Heiden finished his “Trials of the Jedi Temple” to become a Jedi, the Jedi Master took Heiden aside afterward. He kneeled down on one knee, and told him that he had the power to fight his cancer, and reminded him to not fear the Dark Side, including the challenges of cancer. 

“I’ll be brave,” Heiden told him. “Because now I’m a Jedi. The Light Side is in my heart and I am strong.”

That is how great an impact Make-A-Wish had on our son. His wish wasn’t just gifts, a celebration, or a vacation. You gave him something far more priceless. You gave our six-year-old little boy a new hope in fighting cancer, and his future after it. As his parents, we do not know what the future has in store for our son, but your gift has given him courage to live it.

You will never know how much that means to us. We will never forget what you have done.