I wish to be a Garbage Collector
Carter
7
leukemia
Carter Cleans Up, Inspiring His Community
Watch Carter's Wish Day, highlighted in 117 seconds!
Carter was referred for a wish following his leukemia diagnosis at just 3 years-old. While in the midst of his battle with leukemia, Carter spent a grueling four years in treatment, including a period where a strong reaction to chemotherapy limited his mobility. For a little boy with so much joy to bring to the world, childhood drastically changed with surgeries and frequent medical appointments.
He always did what was asked of him, and he was very strong through the symptoms and feeling sick. He made it through.
Wish Mom, Elsa
When Carter walked through the Wishing Place doors, it was clear that his true heartfelt wish would involve his love of garbage trucks. Carter couldn’t wait to make his dreams of becoming a garbage collector a reality. Carter’s wish had been in the works since 2019, but family health issues and the Covid-19 pandemic placed plans on hold.
During COVID, he would wake us up at 6:30 and he would want to stand in front of the window and watch the garbage trucks every Wednesday.
Wish Dad, Walt
At 7 years old and officially having overcome his cancer diagnosis, Carter was one step closer to achieving his dream job. Inspired by his strength and resilience, Carter’s community of supporters in Turlock, California went the extra mile to ensure his wish experience was everything he could imagine.
His wish day included being picked up from school in his very own garbage truck and making stops at local businesses.
Carter kicked off his wish day by picking up trash from his English-Spanish language immersion school, amidst applause from his peers and teachers.
Carter rings the Chemo bell in one big celebration surrounded by his medical care team and loved ones.
Among the many trash collection stops that Carter made with Turlock Scavenger was the place where his own medical journey began: his local hospital. There, he was greeted by his loved ones and treatment care team to finally ring the cancer bell– a celebration that he didn't get to do when he was recovering from leukemia during the COVID pandemic.
It was big. It felt like a wonderful way to remind us of how far Carter has come and the kind of the battle he went through, and to see everyone so excited for him was amazing.
Wish Mom, Elsa
From there, Carter met local police and fire department members and made several stops en route to the city’s waste management, including the Chamber of Commerce. Carter was showered with gifts and goodies on his special day, including a garbage pickup-themed cake.
Carter smiles right before digging into his garbage truck themed cake!
Carter’s wish is more than just a one-day experience. It symbolizes his journey in many ways – there may be tough roads, twists and turns, and even some roadblocks along the way, but with the power of hope, and the joy of a wish come true, the world around you (and your city) can be beautiful.
At the end of his wish day and after having picked up the trash from his own home, Carter smiles in front of a sign in his front yard that reads "WISH GRANTED!"