Lauren's Wish to meet the Chicago Blackhawks

My wish experience absolutely changed my life. My brother referred me for a wish without me knowing and called me on my first week of radiation to share that Make-A-Wish Illinois was granting my wish. Wow. This news provided a beacon of hope during a really tough part of my journey where my head was bolted down to a table for an hour each day for radiation treatments during the Summer of 2016.

Next steps: What would I wish for?! My family and I are HUGE Blackhawks fans (we even named our dog after Patrick Kane), so I chose to meet the Chicago Blackhawks, especially my two favorite players – Patrick Kane & Jonathan Toews. Fast forward to December 2016 when we received the call that my wish was being granted exactly a year from my diagnosis. I considered that a God wink.

Three days of absolute bliss, and my face hurting from smiling so much. The first day consisted of meeting all the players, talking with them about hockey and life in general, and finding out I was going to have lunch with Kane & Toews – the surprise of a lifetime! Then off to a shopping spree and incredible seats at the game the next day! (I swear Kane looked up at our row during the warm-ups.)

This experience with my family will be something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. We didn’t have to think about the next hospital appointment or medical trial. We were able to be together and not worry about anything. One of my biggest takeaways – hockey players are some of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met!

Today, my brain tumor is considered stable, and my life has come full circle. I GET the chance to help the next generation of wish kids through my role at Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. My whole world was turned upside down during high school, so it’s an absolute honor to be here to provide hope, strength, and joy for our wish community who are also going through the unthinkable.

I have the opportunity to work at an amazing organization surrounded by incredible people. Make-A-Wish donors have created the ripple effect for me, and donors like you have the ability to create that same impact for the next kiddo.

My wish gave me the push I needed to keep going, keep fighting, keep living this beautiful life. All thanks to people like you.