Houston-Area Teen Receives Dream Disney Patisserie Experience
Averi’s Wish marks one of the first Disney trips during the Summer of Wishes campaign, launched by Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana
HOUSTON, TX (July 2, 2024) – A dream is a wish a heart makes, and for 14-year-old Averi, that dream came true this past month.
Averi, who battles cancer, is a kind teenager with a dynamic personality. Like most Disney Princesses, Averi has a love for an assortment of sweets. Her list of favorite desserts ranges from macaroons, cakes, cookies and even beignets!
Averi, who documented her family’s entire journey with cancer on YouTube under the pseudonym Team brAVERI, wanted to inspire hope for others and has maintained her positive spirit throughout the experience.
“Averi’s courage and light are what brAVERI signifies and that’s became our family’s motto and shield against the pain,” said Averi’s mom, Jennifer. “She wanted to share the ugly truth of what fighting cancer looks like and also ended up highlighting her kind heart and incredible resilience.”
When Averi learned her wish trip would be granted, the first thing that came to mind was baking. Thanks to WishMaker, NOV, Averi recently returned home from a magical Disney experience where she received a one-on-one baking lesson with a Disney chef.
“We are incredibly honored to have played a part in making Averi’s wish come true,” said Allison Hablinski, NOV’s VP of Marketing. “Hearing about her magical Disney experience was truly inspiring. Supporting Make-A-Wish and helping to grant wishes like Averi’s reflects our commitment to bringing hope and happiness to those who need it most. We are thrilled to have contributed to Averi’s unforgettable journey and wish her continued strength and joy.”
Averi’s magical wish trip started at the Polynesian hotel with Chef Stephie and Chef Vilma, where Averi was donned from head to toe in a white chef’s coat and a chef’s hat. With a smile on her face, Chef Averi was ready for action, and eager to learn. Averi, with the help of her family, got to make pink macaroons, a Belle shaped cake from Beauty and the Beast, and Averi’s personal favorite: a Tinkerbell inspired cupcake. According to Mom, the trip was “beautiful from top to bottom, and Averi could not be more overjoyed.”
Some other fun things Averi and her family got to do on her magical wish trip was the Ratatouille Adventure, and the Tron Lightcycle Power Run, one of Averi’s favorites in which she insisted the family ride twice! They also hopped on over to Universal Studios in Orlando, where they rode a fan favorite, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Averi’s wish comes at a perfect time, as the official launch of the Make-A-Wish Summer of Wishes took flight on June 10. Summer should be a time of joy for children – full of rest, relaxation, play and fun in the sun. But kids with critical illnesses are often missing out on the excitement of summer – forced to stay indoors, isolated from their siblings and friends who are playing outside. Many are even enduring painful treatments that are exhausting and can create a very dark chapter during a time that should be filled with sunshine and warm memories. A wish can change everything for these children – giving them the strength and hope they need to persevere in the fight against their illness.
This summer, more than 1,250 children across the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana chapter are waiting for their wishes to come true – more than any other time of the year. Make-A-Wish has launched the Summer of Wishes campaign in response to this need, focused on granting as many wishes as possible. You have the power to grant those wishes and create brighter days for wish kids like Averi. To learn more about Summer of Wishes, visit www.wish.org/texgulf.
Media interested in interviewing Averi about her Disney Patisserie experience and/or journey through Team braVERI, can contact Michelle Mason, Director of Marketing & Communications for Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana at [email protected], and/or (713) 562-5594. Pictures from Averi’s trip can be found here: Make A Wish - May 2024 - Google Drive