Bransen’s Wish

When Bransen was 12 years old, his heartfelt wish came true – and he called the experience “incredible.” Now 18, that joy still shines when he talks about meeting his baseball hero, Buster Posey – a moment that changed everything for him and his family.

Bransen’s medical journey began in 2018, when a routine checkup revealed he was in kidney failure and needed a kidney transplant. The diagnosis was a shock to Bransen, arriving just as he was about to start middle school. Within months, a family acquaintance stepped up and became Bransen’s life-saving kidney donor.

During this time, baseball was Bransen’s passion. He loved the crack of the bat, the breeze as he rounded the bases and the freedom he felt on the field. But his critical illness took that freedom away. “He’s always loved playing baseball and when he couldn’t get back in the box to play, it was heartbreaking,” said Bransen’s mom, Kristine.

So, when Bransen was introduced to Make-A-Wish, he knew exactly what he wanted: to meet Buster Posey, catcher for the San Francisco Giants – and experience the freedom of baseball once again. “He was truly my icon,” Bransen said. “I have countless playing cards with him. Ever since I was young and I first saw him, I wanted to meet him.”

After recovering from his kidney transplant, Bransen was ready for his wish. “It was literally four days where I could just be myself, be a normal kid … I know my parents felt very relieved [too].”

Bransen and his family flew to San Francisco, where they spent uninterrupted time with Posey, who signed a baseball Bransen had cherished since he was 7 years old. “I was very excited … and [when] he walked in, I was just in pure shock. That moment really felt surreal.”

The impact of his wish reached far beyond Bransen. His parents and siblings – who had endured the stress of dialysis and hospital visits – finally experienced the relief and joy of spending quality time together again. “In that moment, my brother and sister – I don’t think I saw a true smile on their faces since all my health problems,” Bransen said. “They got the full wish experience [too], which felt great knowing that it’s not just about me, it’s about my family.”

Many other wish alumni have shared similar experiences. According to the 2022 Make-A-Wish Impact Study, 92 percent of wish alumni reported that their wish experience brought their family closer together.

Today, Bransen is thriving. He’s a competitive bowler and a college student studying ASL interpreting. Alongside his mom, he also remains deeply involved in the Make-A-Wish mission – organizing toy drives, helping with their local chapter’s Trailblaze Challenge^® and attending fundraising events.

Bransen chooses to Wish-It-Forward^® because, “Make-A-Wish has definitely helped me during my medical journey. I know I can push myself to do harder things and make goals I know I can achieve.”

Have you or a family member experienced the life-changing power of a wish? You can share your story and Wish-It-Forward like Bransen by submitting your story for our Wish Blog.