When Krystin was in the hospital, she felt isolated and alone. She was rarely able to leave her room, and the only people outside of her family she got to see were her nurses and doctors.

“It was very lonely,” Krystin said.  

Being diagnosed with leukemia changed Krystin’s life, but those trying months spent in the hospital also sparked an idea.  

When Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington told her she would be granted a wish, she didn’t think of herself, she thought of others.  

“When I found out about Make-A-Wish, it brought me so much joy,” she said. “I thought about all the things I could wish for and decided that I wanted to give back. I wanted every child to have a friend - something to be there for them in their time of need to comfort them.” 

At her home in Alaska, Krystin has more than 20 stuffed animals that line her room. All shapes, sizes and colors, they have brought her comfort and joy throughout her life. 

“I love stuffed animals,” Krystin said. “They’ve always been really special to me. I will always hold a special place for my stuffed animals. I think it’s a nice thing to have. It’s something to be there for you for comfort or support.” 

When Krystin became ill, their family thought it was COVID. They all tested positive, but as the weeks dragged on, everyone seemed to get better except Krystin.  

Things she could normally do with ease were suddenly much harder, like running and working out, and the nausea and vomiting were relentless. Eventually, they were told to go to the emergency room where doctors ran blood tests.  

That’s when the unthinkable happened.  

“At the time, we didn’t know what leukemia was,” said Krystin’s mom, Ladda.  

Her white blood cell counts were off the charts. There was something terribly wrong. 

Their pediatrician called three days later with devastating news. “’I'm so sorry to tell you, but your daughter has leukemia,’” she recalled him telling her over the phone. “Pack your bags. You need to go to Seattle Children’s.” 

Krystin was airlifted from Alaska to Seattle Children’s. They didn’t know what to expect so they only packed enough clothes for a few days. Their stay was much longer. She started treatment immediately, a total of five rounds of chemotherapy. They spent seven months in Seattle. 

While Krystin was in the hospital, her father and younger brother brought her a gift. It was a pink, fluffy Build-A-Bear teddy adorning a nurse’s outfit. Krystin aspired to join the Air Force after high school, so they also bought the bear a military outfit. It was just the companion Krystin needed. It lifted her spirits. 

She affectionately named her furry friend Krystin Jr., and the two were inseparable.  

“She slept with it every night,” said her mom.  

When it came time to decide on a wish, Krystin knew what she wanted to do. She wanted every child in the hospital to know they weren’t alone – to feel the safe comfort she felt from a Build-A-Bear furry friend.  

“Krystin Jr. was there for me through tears and happiness and ups and downs and through all the scary stuff that happened through treatment,” Krystin said. 

And so, that became her wish – to give back. She wanted other children going through treatment to have someone by their side, just as Krystin Jr. was there for her. 

“You always hear about Make-A-Wish, but you never think your child would be a wish kid,” Ladda said. “She is such a caring person. I’m so proud of her.” 

Today, Krystin is in remission. She just graduated high school, and she is cancer-free.  

When she visited the hospital in July, the trip was extra special. In addition to her regular follow-up appointments, there was another reason to visit the cancer units – to fulfill her wish.  

Walking into the hospital that day, she had a big smile on her face. She knew this day would be filled with hope and joy.  

Seattle Children’s, Build-A-Bear Foundation and Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington teamed up to help bring Krystin’s wish to life.  

Together with generous supporters like Build-A-Bear Foundation, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Since 2014, Build-A-Bear Foundation has donated more than $1.5 million to Make-A-Wish and helped grant more than 500 transformational wishes. 

“Granting a wish is something every Bear Builder hopes to do someday,” said Sisi Beltran, vice president and executive director of Build-A-Bear Foundation. “Our partnership with Make-A-Wish is a natural extension of our core values and giving mission. When a young leader like Krystin uses their wish to serve others, the entire Build-A-Bear team is honored to help make it happen.” 

For a day, the cancer units at the hospital were transformed into Build-A-Bear workshops. Large stuffing machines were set up in the family rooms of the outpatient cancer clinics. Adorable outfits and various furry friends were laid out so patients at the hospital could create a one-of-a-kind stuffed animal just for them.  

Bear Builders worked with each patient individually to stuff the bears, perform Heart Ceremonies, and stitch them up with love and care.   

Krystin wanted to make sure kids who couldn’t leave their hospital rooms were able to join in. These patients were given menus with assorted outfits and animal options so they could create a furry friend as well.  

It was Krystin’s wish day, but as children filled the Build-A-Bear station and brought their furry friends to life, it was almost as if more wishes were coming true, the power of a wish touching each person involved. As patients hugged their new friends, their faces lit up with joy. 

Seven-year-old Gabby was in clinic that day. She picked out a bunny and a dazzling outfit for it to wear. She was excited as the Build-A-Bear worker helped dress her, and then they gave her new friend a name, Hoppy the Bunny.  

“To be in clinic and have a happy moment,” said Gabby’s mom, Cienna, “It’s everything.” With tears in her eyes, she continued. “It’s really hard to find joy when we’re in clinic for treatment. This moment, it’ll last a long time.” 

Happy tears and smiling faces filled the hospital halls.  

“Today was really touching,” said Alicia Sevilla, a child life specialist at Seattle Children’s. “Her choice to give back has impacted a lot of people. It’s so sweet she chose to do this. I think the wish journey is something all our families talk about. It gives them an opportunity to dream big.” 

Krystin loved meeting kids in the hospital and helping them make their own furry friends.  When the Build-A-Bear team gifted her a new furry friend with a one-of-a-kind outfit, she cried joyful tears.  

“I just want to say thank you,” she said. “It’s amazing what you do for kids.” 

Krystin’s wish to give back to Seattle Children’s was made possible thanks to Build-A-Bear Foundation, Seattle Children’s and Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington.