I wish to go to Walt Disney World® Resort
Luke
5
bone cancer
Thoughts of Disney Help Luke Through His Treatments
Concerned, as any parent would be, she immediately scheduled an appointment with Luke’s doctor for first thing on Monday morning. That appointment would lead to a referral to an orthopedic surgeon, then to an orthopedic oncologist who performed a biopsy of the lump and delivered the devastating news to Tina and her husband Jason that their son had cancer.
“Our world came to a halt, and we were filled with so many emotions,” Tina recalled. “We did everything from the moment our sons were born to protect them, and yet, we couldn’t protect Luke from this diagnosis. We couldn’t protect him from all of the treatment to come.”
While the lump was confirmed to be cancerous, the biopsy needed to be sent to a specialist to determine what type of sarcoma it was so it could be treated effectively. At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a genetic test was run that verified that Luke had an extremely rare form of Ewing sarcoma.
After receiving this diagnosis, Luke immediately began his first round of chemotherapy. The treatment took a devastating toll on his body, leaving his family fearful of the subsequent rounds of chemotherapy he would endure. However, Luke surprised his family as he began to rebound quicker from the sessions.
“Somehow, some way, Luke was a warrior,” Tina said. “He came home most days after his second and third rounds of chemotherapy ready to play even though he was tired and not feeling well most days. He still had that drive to just be a kid.”
Luke would undergo surgery followed by nine more rounds before completing treatment in September of 2022. Since he was diagnosed during the height of the global pandemic, Luke and Tina spent much of that time isolated from his dad and Luke’s twin brother Zachary.
“Zachary was scared for his brother and for the changes that it brought to our daily routine,” Tina said. “He didn’t understand why his brother, who prior to this, had never spent a day away from, would have to be gone for days on end and would only be able to converse through FaceTime when he felt well enough.”
During Luke’s isolation from his family, he found comfort through some of his favorite things. One of those items was his prized possession - a small plush Mickey Mouse that accompanied the young boy and his mom on all his appointments. When Luke’s medical team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center shared that he could be referred for a life-changing wish, it was no surprise that he would wish to go to the Walt Disney World® Resort to meet the Big Cheese himself.
Mommy, I’ve been waiting my whole life to go to Disney World!
Luke
wish kid
“We received a sample Wish Packet in the mail, and the first thing Luke did when I read the packet to him was draw a picture of Steamboat Willie,” Tina said. “When I asked Luke why he chose to draw that picture, he stated, “Mommy, I’ve been waiting my whole life to go to Disney World!”. If anyone deserved it after going through everything he endured at the young age of 3, it was him.”
After a quick flight, Luke and his family found themselves at the home of Mickey Mouse, ready to celebrate the end of his treatment and make new, happy memories together. Each day, they made sure not to waste a single moment in “The Most Magical Place On Earth”, bouncing between the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot. They enjoyed ride after ride and tasty snacks during the day and took in the fireworks at night.
“Luke was, for the first time in a long time, able to be a kid,” Tina said. “He missed so much time being a kid, and this was truly what he, and I think all of us needed to boost our spirits and bring back so much hope and joy to our lives.”
On their third day at the Walt Disney World® Resort, the heart of Luke’s wish came true – that was the day he finally met Mickey Mouse. Luke was amazed, not believing that the character who helped him cope through his health journey was standing right in front of him.
“Luke was awestruck,” Tina recalled. “He could barely muster up the courage to talk to Mickey because he just couldn’t believe that it was actually him!”
The impact of Luke’s wish as felt long after the family returned home and resumed their day-to-schedules. Having the opportunity to relax, spend time together and make fun and happy memories helped the family put the frightening moments of Luke’s diagnosis behind them.
“To see my son smile and be over-the-moon ecstatic every day that we were there, after so many tears and so many frightening moments, will never be forgotten,” Tina said. “I will also never forget what this trip meant to his brother - being reunited and restrengthening that twin bond.”
This trip brought life, hope, fun, relief, relaxation, gratitude, overwhelming joy and happiness back into our lives.
Tina
wish mom
Today, Luke is not only doing well, he is thriving. He was able to start pre-school alongside his brother, make new friends and start playing T-ball and soccer.
“We frequently think back to Luke’s trip to remind ourselves how far he has come,” Tina said. “This experience was not only life-changing for Luke, but it was for our whole family and forever will be. It was an opportunity to just be in the moment. Being in the moment has been incredibly hard to do for a long time and Make-A-Wish gave us that opportunity to take that breath, to take that moment for ourselves, and just be present in the moment. We think back to his trip and are instantly filled with gratitude and beautiful memories.”
