I wish to visit the Florida Keys
Brielle
14
cancer
Brielle's Island Getaway
Watching her happy and healthy meant everything to us, and for that, we are forever grateful.
Christina
Brielle's mom
Brielle carries her kind, funny, and confident attitude wherever she goes. Whether she’s singing Taylor Swift at the top of her lungs, rewatching The Summer I Turn Pretty for the 100th time, or joking with friends and family, her energy is contagious.
But just two years ago, that bright spark dimmed. Brielle woke up one morning with a painful, bruised leg. At first, it didn’t seem serious, but after an X-ray at urgent care revealed a small spot on her calf, more tests followed. First an MRI, then a referral to an oncologist, and lastly a biopsy. Just after Thanksgiving of 2023, Brielle and family received news that turned their world upside down: a diagnosis of cancer.
Her once busy routine of school, volleyball, youth group, and hangouts with friends was suddenly paused. She soon had her first surgery to remove the tumor, followed by another just weeks later.
“The experience was terrifying,” her mom, Christina, shared. All the hospital visits, surgeries, and the constant stress of the unknown was extremely overwhelming.
Brielle has always found medical environments stressful, making this journey even harder. Still, she faced everything head on, staying hopeful, even when waiting anxiously for test results.
When a family friend encouraged them to investigate Make-A-Wish, Brielle knew exactly what she wanted; a trip to Key West, Florida. She didn’t choose it for a specific attraction, or reason, but for what it represented. “She just wanted to feel free,” said Christina.
As the trip approached, the family couldn’t contain their excitement. Finally, they had an experience everyone was looking forward to, one in which they would have some measure of control after months of uncertainty bordering on chaos. For that blissful week, the weight of her diagnosis was lifted. No more anxiety regarding her next scan or hospital rooms, instead, she lived peacefully in the moment, reconnecting with the best parts of herself.
From swimming with dolphins to fancy dinners on the beach, she loved every aspect of the trip. “Watching her happy and healthy meant everything to us, and for that, we are forever grateful.” Christina shares.
The wish left a lasting impact on Brielle and her whole family. Inspired by the experience and its effect on his sister, younger brother Quinton chose to give a presentation about Make-A-Wish at his suburban Chicago school, raising money in honor of his sister’s journey.
Now cancer-free, Brielle is back to volleyball and shopping with friends. Though she still goes in for scans every six months, which can bring back that sinking feeling of uncertainty, she keeps her head held high, never missing an opportunity to crack a joke.
For her, this wish wasn’t just a vacation, it was a turning point. A reminder that despite hardships, she can always make time for joy. Brielle isn’t defined by her diagnosis, rather her resilience is what shines most, and with a little help from Make-A-Wish Illinois and the Florida sun, she’s brighter than ever.