What ways are you involved as a volunteer?
I am a member of the speaker’s bureau.

How did you first find Make-A-Wish?
I first found Make-a-Wish when I saw Kaden’s story on 60 Minutes (CBS) in 2015. It really got me intrigued and wanting to become a volunteer. However, life got in the way and it was not until a few years later that Make-a-Wish resurfaced again in our lives. This time, it was because our son, then three years old, was diagnosed with leukemia, who – after 18 months of heavy treatment – was blessed to have his wish to go to Walt Disney World® Resort to meet Woody and Buzz from Toy Story granted. It was the trip of a lifetime for him and the rest of our family, taking us away from his still ongoing treatment, hospital visits, and chemotherapy treatments, and allows us to just be a family again.

How long have you been volunteering with Make-A-Wish Minnesota?
One year. I applied to be a volunteer right after our trip.

What has been the most rewarding experience of volunteering with Make-A-Wish?
For me, becoming a volunteer and sharing our personal story along with Make-a-Wish’s mission has been rewarding on several levels. Not only has sharing our journey with others helped with coping of it all, speaking for Make-a-Wish has been a great way to give back for this gift we were given and thereby help to ensure they can continue their mission to help many, many more kids.

What advice would you give to new volunteers?
Treasure the gift you have been given to have a chance to fulfill a kid’s dream and enjoy the privilege of being made part of the child and their family’s journey! This is something you can’t find in many volunteer roles and as such, makes Make-a-Wish a unique organization to help out.

What story would you share to inspire others to become a volunteer with Make-A-Wish?
For us, there is nothing more powerful than our own story. We were given a true gift by Make-a-Wish to step away from daily treatments and an all-consuming medical journey that has been part of our lives for the last two years and instead, we could be part of our son’s dream and enjoy a vacation as a family again.