Felix was four years old the first time he visited Walt Disney World. He was also four years old when his family received news that changed everything: a cancer diagnosis, delivered by phone while they sat in the Magic Kingdom.

They finished the vacation, doing their best to hold onto the magic for a little boy who didn't yet know what was unfolding around them. When they got home, treatment began almost immediately.

What followed was hard. Felix's mom, Julie, describes it plainly: "There is no magic pill." During that time, a child life specialist named Mary Beth became an anchor for the family, helping Felix navigate the scary parts of treatment. It was Mary Beth who first mentioned that Felix would be eligible for a Wish.

Julie remembers that moment as an unexpected light: "Knowing there is something to look forward to, words can't describe what something like that does for your spirit."

Felix had two great loves during treatment: Legos, which he built by the dozens from his hospital bed, and the memory of Walt Disney World. When he learned his Wish could take him back, the answer was easy. At the Dr. J. Peter McPartlon Wishing Space in Saratoga Springs, wish granters Scott and Leslie sat on the floor with Felix, played Legos, and talked through what would make him happiest. His trip would combine both worlds: Walt Disney World and Legoland Florida.

On January 1, 2026, the family attended Disney On Ice at the MVP Arena. After the show, as the arena cleared out, they were brought to the front of the ice. Mickey and Minnie came skating over, and Felix was starstruck. His Wish, the family told him, was coming true.

The week in Orlando was everything. Staying at Give Kids the World Village as their home base, the family visited all four Walt Disney World parks, Legoland, and Universal Studios. Felix cast spells in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, drove cars at Legoland, and collected character autographs at every turn. He summed it up simply: "I love that this was my Wish!"

Today, Julie shares that Felix is officially no evidence of disease. Two months after the trip, he still picks up the photos and talks through every memory. The family raised over $3,000 at the 2025 Walk for Wishes, and Julie says it was Felix's first real introduction to the idea that small acts can make a big impact.

"Time is one of the most valuable resources we have," Julie reflects, "and Make-A-Wish helped our family to use our time to create some of our best memories that we will go back to over and over again."