Jack spent last Christmas in a hospital room, wires and monitors replacing holiday lights, the hum of the oncology floor replacing carols. At 18, most teens are dreaming of college, friends, and big adventures but Jack was fighting lymphoma.

With a newfound passion for swimming, Jack had already qualified for two national meets through USA Swimming and earned honors for his academic and athletic achievements. Even more remarkable, he discovered some of his fastest swimming times came while lymphoma was quietly affecting his body - a testament to his incredible determination.

In September 2024, after returning from his first official college visit, Jack was hospitalized when imaging revealed a mass on his thymus. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, he faced the toughest race of his life. It was then that Jack’s care team referred him to Make-A-Wish, opening the door to hope during a time filled with uncertainty.

When Jack met his volunteer wish granters, he explored every dream and possibility but his wish took a truly special turn. Instead of wishing for himself, Jack thought of the children who, like him, spend holidays in hospital rooms fighting battles no child should have to face.

Jack’s wish became Jack’s Joys, a project dedicated to spreading happiness, comfort, and joy to kids in the hospital. He carefully created Amazon Wish Lists filled with toys, books, crafts, and games, each item chosen to bring smiles during difficult days.

He asked a simple question that sparked a movement: “How can I help?”

And the community responded.

Through Jack’s Joys, more than 700 gifts were collected, purchased, and donated to children at Children’s Mercy. On wish day, Jack personally helped unpack each gift, labeling them with Jack’s Joy stickers, bringing excitement, hope, and the pure joy of giving to every child.

“Over 700 gifts is incredible,” Jack said. “It says so much about Kansas City, about community, compassion, and people coming together to support kids in the hospital.”

With every gift delivered, Jack’s smile shone bright. “That’s a kind of happiness money can’t buy,” he shared. “Helping others comes from a pure human desire to make someone else’s life a little better.”

Jack’s wish wasn’t just a single moment; it became a ripple of hope reaching countless families. Each gift represented joy during hardship, each donation honored Jack’s resilience, and every smile reminded us that hope truly has no limits.