Claire’s Wish Creates a Turning Point and Restores Hope for Brighter Days

When Claire was only 8 years old, her parents noticed a bump above her right eyebrow. Concerned, they took her to her doctor for a full-body scan. Within hours, they got the shocking news that Claire had stage four cancer. Claire was suddenly forced to leave behind the carefree life she had known and enter a scary new world filled with long hours of painful chemotherapy treatments, transplants and extended hospital stays.

Her heartbroken parents squeezed Claire’s hand as they watched their daughter endure a fight against the unimaginable. After a 24-day hospitalization, Claire underwent a stem cell transplant that went awry – and she went into cardiac arrest.

“My husband and I watched in awe as the PICU nurse performed CPR on her and revived her,” said Tiffany, Claire’s mom. “When she woke up, I walked up to her and told her to close her eyes and picture herself on a beach. I asked her to grab a bucket, walk down the beach and collect as many seashells as she could. I told her when she wakes up, she can tell me about all her favorites. I kissed her forehead, said ‘I love you’ and walked out of her room.”

For 10 agonizing days, Claire’s family wondered if their child would come home. Claire continued to prevail against the pain and isolation of cancer despite what felt like an uphill battle. To restore her hope and strength to fight, Claire was referred for a wish. Claire instantly knew her wish: to go to the beach that her mom had encouraged her to picture during the darkest moments in her life – she wished to travel to St. Thomas with her family.

Soon, a beaming Claire left the hospital and stepped onto a plane bound for an island with glistening seas and warm sand. When the flight attendants announced her entrance, the passengers burst into applause and Claire grinned with excitement.

“During our time in St. Thomas, Claire ran up and down the beach. She collected seashells. She picked out her favorites and told me all about them. This was the moment that Claire had been waiting for,” Tiffany said.

Claire’s wish marked a turning point where she could picture a bright future filled with excitement, love and adventure – something that had often been lost during the toughest and most isolating periods in her treatment journey. She reconnected with her brother, Evan, and experienced life-changing moments of togetherness with her family.

“The entire week we were there, Evan and Claire had permanent smiles on their faces,” Tiffany said. “They had spent a lot of time apart during Claire’s treatments, and to see them together again, snorkeling, parasailing and swimming with dolphins – as parents, our hearts really needed that.”

Today, the memory of Claire’s wish is a full-circle celebration of how far she has come and all the beautiful moments and milestones that are still ahead. “This wish was the celebration trip of a lifetime,” Tiffany said. “We will always be grateful.”