How long have you been involved with Make-A-Wish (MAW)? Can you share a little bit about your history?

My first exposure to Make-A-Wish was during medical school. I was involved in a volunteer group that helped fundraise for MAW and spread awareness. I was touched by the unique wishes that were chosen and the sincere dedication of the MAW team to make it happen.

You embarked on the Trailblaze Challenge, hiking 28.3 miles in one day for wish kids — What motivated you to take the Challenge?

The Trailblaze Challenge was a phenomenal experience. The children I care for are challenged on so many levels every single day. Committing to training for and completing the 28.3 miles served as a personal challenge. This time of solitude in nature ultimately was a gift, allowing for meditation and reflection. I recounted memories of courageous children who had lost their lives. On one particularly long and hot hike, I had not seen anyone for hours and then — suddenly — I ran into a mother of one of my young patients who had died 14 years ago. We hugged and cried a few tears before moving on — It was a true moment of affirmation of why I was on that trail.

As a doctor working with children with cancer, what do you think your patients need in addition to medical treatment?

Providing medical treatment is only part of patient care. There is an art to healing, and it involves the mind, body and soul. The emotional well-being of the child and family is a critical component of care.

How does having a critically-ill child impact the family? Does a wish impact the family, as well as the child?

Families are often dividing and conquering to get through the day. For many families, finding time away from illness and together as a family is difficult to achieve. Wish opportunities create a much-needed pause from medicine and unite families to experience joy. Wishes ignite hope and rekindle the soul, which transforms into improved medical well-being. When these children recount their wish experiences, their faces light up and the smiles become contagious.

Why is a wish important for a child facing a life-threatening illness?

Make A-Wish provides this incredible light of hope that is needed during times of great adversity. A wish experience is empowering — It fuels the child with strength and courage to keep moving forward in their battle. The healing power of a wish is surreal.

How has being involved with Make-A-Wish influenced you?

My involvement with MAW has helped me to better serve children beyond the doors of the hospital.

Our Make-A-Wish chapter served a record number of children this year. What do you think are important points for serving critically-ill children going forward?

Moving forward, we need to continue to create awareness and raise funds for wishes. No child should be left behind in fulfilling their wish. I am resolved to seeing that every eligible child experiences their truest wish