I wish to sing on stage
Valeria, wish granted in 2020
congenital heart disease
40th Birthday Wish Notes
Updates from our wish alumni and families from the last four decades of wish granting
We want to hear from more of our wish alums and their family members! If you have an update to share with us, please fill out our Wish Notes form and we'll add it to this page.
1990s
"Since my wish, I've had the fortune of graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of San Francisco, forging a career in environmental sustainability. I am now married and have two healthy sons. That trip with my family shines vividly in my memory. My Make-A-Wish experience has helped me always highlight the gratitude I have for the blessings amongst the challenges of life. Thank you for the memories and the positive impact that you continue to create."
– Wish alum Susan. Susan's wish to go to Disney World was granted in 1993.
2000s
"As the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area's 3,000th wish granted, I fully enjoyed all the extra attention that came with celebrating number 3,000: the airport party wish send-off with Spider-Man, the Mayoral Declaration from Willie Brown, the limo picking me and my family up to attend the annual board meeting, and then again for the lighting of the Ritz Carlton Christmas Wreath...all much to the discomfort of my introverted family members who were forced to tag along with me. My wish to visit my favorite uncle in New York was amazing. Make-A-Wish arranged many memorable and one-of-a-kind experiences that I still remember to this day!
"After my wish trip, life for me progressed fairly normally. All the planned surgeries for my heart condition were done. I still visit the hospital every six months and fortunately have had no surprises. I enjoyed grade school and high school. Even though I was highly focused on school, I was still able to enjoy other activities like volleyball and student government. I liked learning about the brain and went to college to study neuroscience with thoughts of becoming a doctor. However, when it was pointed out to me that I look away while watching episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, I began to realize medicine might not be in the cards for me. As a kid, I had joked that my dream job would be to host a ‘late night’ show like Conan or Colbert. I spent many nights listening to stand-up comedians to help me relax and fall asleep. I knew stand-up was how many ‘late night’ hosts got started, and there was a stand-up club at my college, so in my sophomore year, I joined and gave it a try. Despite the on-stage anxiety, I really enjoyed performing on stage. My senior year, I was able to land internships in entertainment that after navigating all the disruption of the pandemic ultimately led to moving to LA and being selected for the NBC Page program. I now have a day job with NBC and perform stand-up multiple nights a week and produce a monthly comedy show with a friend. My heart condition and my Make-A-Wish experience are prominent themes in my material that audiences love. Although I now joke that my wish was just 'an average family vacation,' it was exactly what we all needed to lift our spirits and remind us how wonderful life can be."
– Wish alum Matthew. Matthew's wish to go to New York to visit his favorite uncle was granted in 2002.
"I'd like to first thank Make-A-Wish for granting such an amazing gift of going to the 2007 MLB All Star Game in San Francisco! My family and I were treated to an experience, one that none of us will ever forget! Enjoying this day during a really tough time for me, the wish gave me a lot of hope that things were getting better by being brave, and that I had fun things to look forward to and not always worrying.
"I am fortunate that I am doing great! I went on to being co-captain of my high school golf team and went on to attend the University of California, San Diego, graduating in 2018 with a psychology degree and a business minor. I'm working currently in marketing here in the Bay Area and living in San Francisco.
"The challenge I deal with is I will never forget being sick for so many years, but always grateful and thankful for my family and everyone that helped me get better along the way!"
– Wish alum Chris. Chris' wish to go to the MLB All Star Game was granted in 2007.
Matthew with his uncle in New York in 2002.
Matthew with his dad, siblings, and Uncle Lucas during his wish trip to New York in 2003.
Christopher's wish to go to the MLB All Star Game was our chapter's 4,000th wish granted!
2010–2014
"When we ask Conner, 'What do you remember about that time with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?' He says, 'Only the fun trips and going to school.' Bless you all for making this happen for my son. He hardly remembers anything during that time except for what Make-A-Wish gave him."
– Conner's dad, Mark. Conner wished to go to Hawaii to swim with dolphins in 2010.
"Grace is now 17 years old. She is an honor roll student, involved with school leadership, and the school tennis team captain. She is looking forward to applying to colleges next year and hopes to get accepted somewhere in Southern California. Grace has been hospital-free for three years! She still sees her cardiologist regularly, every six months, with remote pacemaker checks in between. Our family is forever grateful for the wish that Grace received."
– Grace's mom, Jackie. Grace wishes to go to Disney World to meet Cinderella in 2010.
"I am now 23 years old and am a cancer-free patient now! I’m also a mom of a 3-year-old boy named Mateo. I thought I wouldn’t be able to get pregnant because of chemotherapy and radiation, but now I have my little bundle of joy. He is doing wonderfully. I am still so thankful to Make-A-Wish for the opportunity to go to Disneyland at age 10 for the first time ever."
– Wish alum Wendy. Wendy wished to go to Disneyland in 2011.
"Ysabel passed away on November 25, 2018, from heart failure due to a rare metabolic disease. Our Make-A-Wish trip continues to be a highlight of her life and brings us amazing memories. Thank you so much for these beautiful memories. Happy Birthday, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area!"
– Ysabel's mom, Lisa. Ysabel's wish to go to Disneyland was granted in 2011.
"I am now a third-year student at UC Davis, and I am doing well. I am majoring in economics with a minor in math and am also heavily involved in academic clubs and research on campus. Memories of my wish are some of the happiest I have with my family during the time of my treatment, so I'll forever be grateful to Make-A-Wish for giving us that."
– Wish alum Mahek. Mahek's wish to go to Disney World was granted in 2012.
"Since Deyzha's wish was granted in 2013, she went into remission and continued to play basketball, dance halftime shows for the Golden State Warriors, volunteer at GLIDE San Francisco, and enjoyed hanging out with her friends. In 2017, her cancer returned in full force, and unfortunately, the location of the tumors took her mobility and main cognitive functions away. Deyzha is now in a wheelchair and under 24/7 care. The good news is that she beat cancer a second time and has been six years in remission. Despite our family's changes and challenges, Deyzha is in good spirits and remains healthy!"
– Deyzha's mom, Crystal. Deyzha's wish to have a birthday party was granted in 2013.
"Thanks to Make-A-Wish, I was able to look forward to a once-in-a-lifetime trip with my family to meet my hero. Make-A-Wish has changed so many children's lives for the better, gave them memories nothing could tarnish, and provided children with a bright light in a very dark time. I am still in contact with my bone marrow donor and visited again, celebrating my 5th year after my bone marrow transplant. I am currently living in Tokyo, Japan, as an English teacher. My wish sparked my love for traveling. I climbed Mt. Fuji, traveled to several countries, and have plans to travel more!"
– Wish alum Mackenna. Mackenna's wish to go to Australia to meet her bone marrow donor was granted in 2014.
Mackenna in Australia with her bone marrow donor during her wish in 2012.
Mahek meeting Mickey Mouse on her wish to go to Disney World in 2012.
Mahek in the cockpit on her flight to Disney World in 2012.
2015–2019
"Bryan's wish gave him the positive boost he needed to face that third surgery. He now has been cancer-free for nine years. He graduated from Bellarmine Preparatory College in 2018 and just graduated from Chapman University with academic honors in May of this year. He plays ice hockey and is an avid cyclist and is now looking for a job and settling into adulthood."
– Bryan's mom, Juliet. Bryan's wish to go to TANKFEST was granted in 2015.
"I'm doing great now almost eight years post wish! Make-A-Wish has remained close to my heart, and I started volunteering as a wish granter. Being able to give other kids the same opportunity is so incredibly rewarding, and I get chills every time I reveal a wish to a child, thinking about my own experience back then. My wish will forever be remembered fondly by me and my entire family. And I can say the same for all the other wish kids whose lives have been positively touched by this selfless and heartwarming organization."
– Wish alum Lindsey. Lindsey's wish to go to Hawaii was granted in 2016.
"Grady is now a Junior at Stanford University, applying to medical school, and is celebrating 12 years post-bone marrow transplant in April. The medical team saved our son’s life, but we are forever grateful to Make-A-Wish for saving our son’s soul."
– Grady's mom, Amy. Grady's wish to go to Disney World was granted in 2016.
"I am now in my first year of college at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Thank you, Make-A-Wish, for being the light in the darkness and bringing so much joy to children’s lives.”
- Wish alum Amy. Amy's wish to go to Paris was granted in 2017.
"Now Jacob is 12 years old and is in remission. After attending a Make-A-Wish A's Day event, Jacob developed a profound love for baseball. We now live in Venezuela, and he is now living out a dream to train down here with some of the best young players in the country. Jacob is learning Spanish, excelling in school, and is the catcher for a competitive baseball team. Jacob's wish was absolutely magical. We felt alive, we felt happy, we felt close as a family, and we felt special. It was the highest point during those years. We couldn't be more grateful for Make a Wish and its impact on our lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and congrats on your 40th birthday!"
– Jacob's mom, Alison. Jacob's wish to go on a Disney cruise was granted in 2018.
"Molly has made a great recovery since her diagnosis, and this summer, she will be four years post-treatment. She recently turned 14 and will be entering high school next year. She plays competitive soccer, takes piano, and does exceptionally well in school. All of our prayers have been answered to see her thriving as she enters her teen years. May this chapter continue to thrive and spread the joy that is so special to the Make-A-Wish organization."
– Molly's mom, Becky. Molly's wish to go to Aulani was granted in 2019.
Amy with her family on her wish to go to Paris in 2017.
Amy with her family on her wish to go to Paris in 2017.
Grady with his family during his wish to go to Disney World in 2016.
Grady and his family visiting the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area office in 2023.
Molly with her family and Mickey Mouse at Aulani in 2019
Molly plays with Mickey Mouse during her wish trip to Aulani in 2019.
2020–2023
"Since her wish, Valeria's confidence has increased, and she has developed a deeper singing talent. She has recorded over 15 songs in a studio and participated in musicals and plays. Make-A-Wish made a big influence and difference in Valeria's life. Valeria was so inspired by the goodwill of Make-A-Wish and all its volunteers, that she started volunteering to give back. Thank you for what you do."
– Valeria's mom, Anna. Valeria's wish to sing on stage was granted in 2020.
"I am now five years cancer-free, graduated high school last May, and am starting my first year of college. I just hope that Make-A-Wish continues to change people’s lives and bring so much more love and joy to wish kids like they did for me."
– Wish alum Layla. Layla's wish to go to Disney World was granted in 2021.
"Colin, as well as our entire family, enjoy his pinball machine on a regular basis. It’s been a great reminder of the kindness in the world and has been the gift that keeps on giving. We are grateful for every day we get with him. Our family has started the Colin Beech Foundation to spread awareness for his rare vascular disease. Cheers to spreading more hope and love. Thank you to your entire organization for granting Colin such a cool wish in 2021."
– Colin's mom, Theresa. Colin's wish to have a pinball machine was granted in 2021.
"Katrina has started competing in NCHA shows across the state and continues to live out her dream of cutting and competing with her mare. Katrina and her horse, Venus, have become quite the team. Katrina has bonded and found a new purpose in life. Dreams do come true! Thank you, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, for granting my daughter's wish. It's been more than that for us."
– Katrina's mom, Dana. Katrina's wish to have a cutting horse was granted in 2021.
"Nate is doing well. It is very difficult for us to take a trip. Thank you so much for making it happen for us. Happy Birthday, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area!"
– Nate's mom, Yuki. Nate's wish to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium was granted in 2022.
"Beckett is a strong and healthy 3rd grader who loves playing all sports and being with his friends and family. He has been in remission for four and a half years. Thank you to such an amazing organization that gives hope and a moment of normalcy to those going through difficult times. Our granted wish is something we will never forget."
– Beckett's dad, Blake. Beckett's wish to go to Disneyland was granted in 2023.
Valeria arrives at the Concord Pavillion for her wish to sing on stage in 2020.
Valeria sings on stage at the Concord Pavillion in 2020.
Katrina with her horse, Venus, on her wish day in 2021.
Beckett with his family on his wish to go to Disneyland in 2023.
Beckett with his family on his wish to go to Disneyland in 2023.
Collin with his pinball machine on his wish day in 2021.
Nate on his wish to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 2022.
Nate and his family enjoying the view during his wish to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 2022.
"Akira is now five years old and full of life! She has grown so much and is forever grateful for her wish. Akira is three years cancer-free and loves staying involved with the Make-A-Wish family. Happy 40th Birthday Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area! Thank you for making every wish kid's dreams come true."
– Akira's mom, Breaune. Akira's wish to go to Disneyland was granted in 2023.
"Kevin is doing fantastic, a thriving first grader, playing baseball and soccer. Our son's wish will forever be a life-touching experience and memory. Cheers to making magic for families for 40 years."
– Kevin's mom, Danielle. Kevin's wish to go to Disney World was granted in 2023.
"We had such an amazing time during our stay. Sean is doing well. He has finished his county program and transitioned into an adult day program. His health is stable, and we are so grateful for this. Thank you to all of you who made our trip so amazing. We are so grateful for the generosity. Happy Birthday!"
– Sean's mom, Annette. Sean's wish to go to Texas to visit Morgan's Wonderland was granted in 2023.
Be a part of our 40th Birthday campaign and help us grant the next 40 years of life-changing wishes!