I wish to have a computer and color printer

Lana

4

leukemia

Lana's new computer connects her to the world.

Lana's wish to have a computer and colored printer

Many of us would describe COVID-19 as changing nearly everything about our lives…the way we work, grocery shop, interact with friends and how we stay connected. But wish kid Lana and her family saw those changes far before many of us. 

At just four-years-old Lana started treatment for leukemia in the fall of 2019. To protect her compromised immune system, Lana had to be pulled out of the classroom, and couldn’t have any friends over. But little did she know, her wish would soon allow her to stay connected to her pre-K classmates. 

When her mom referred her for a wish in early December, Lana was very sick. “She was losing weight, she didn’t feel well, was getting sick everyday,” explained her mom, Bethany. “[her wish] was something we were really looking forward to, to brighten her mood. She was just so sick.”

Lana smiles at the rainbow of colors displayed on her new computer.
Dancing with joy.

As with many loving communities, they soon found the Make-A-Wish support system to be tight-knit. “We were surprised to know both of her Wish Granters when they came for her wish visit. One Wish Granter we knew from school, and the other I knew was a wish mom,” said Bethany. “Lana was just so glad to have visitors.”

As the global pandemic continued to send ripples around the world, Lana decided to wish for a big computer screen and color printer. Just weeks later, she was over the moon when her wish was granted!

“The excitement from Lana has been the best part of this whole process. She was so excited to decide on the computer and she was really excited when she came,” said Bethany. “We can’t go out, we can’t do anything. Even if the virus wasn’t here, she would still have to stay inside. So playing on her computer is the highlight of her day.”

Lana has been out of school for months, but she’s been spending a lot of time on her new computer playing ABC Mouse. “With her educational games she has been able to keep up with her class in learning her letters. It has really helped her feel on track and makes her feel connected to her schoolmates.”

With her educational games she has been able to keep up with her class in learning her letters. It has really helped her feel on track and makes her feel connected to her schoolmates.
Bethany, Lana's Mom

“It feels really good to know that people care about what she’s been going through. It hasn’t been easy,” said Bethany. “And her wish is something we couldn’t have given her on our own.”

Lana not only enjoys playing her educational games, but also printing out colored pictures on her printer. The family is putting together a scrap book. They know even through these unprecedented times, there’s still a lot of joy to capture and remember.