Griffin
7
leukemia
Griffin's Wish for a Ninja Obstacle Course
Seven-year-old Griffin is a kind, empathetic old soul. He is in second grade and loves ninjas, Power Rangers, and spending time with his little brother. At the age of three, Griffin was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He went through intense chemotherapy in and out of the hospital and has been in treatment for three and a half years—half of his life.
“It was always a sense of happiness and that we could look forward to something in all this hardship he has been through. He would have a light and something to look forward to,” recounts wish mom Danielle.
When Griffin's family learned that he would be eligible for a wish, it became a bright spot to look forward to. They shared that having the wish to look forward to was an important part of Griffin’s treatment journey and it gave him a lot of time to dream about what his wish would be.
Griffin dreamed up a one-of-a-kind wish: to have a ninja obstacle course playset!
“Being the really active kid that he is [who] loves playing with his friends and his brother, Griffin wanted a wish that he could also share,” wish dad Robert explains of his wish choice.
On Griffin’s wish day, he had to go through ninja training. He began his day with self-defense training at Stonecoast Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School for Kids and then went to Maine Warrior Gym to learn some strength and agility training. Here, Griffin and his brother were presented with official Hasbro® Power Ranger suits! Griffin took to the training quickly, swinging across gym rings and navigating a climbing wall.
“We don’t see that very often where he’s so confident in his abilities. His confidence and happiness through the day is just amazing!” Danielle said.
Medical partners often speak about the wish being an important part of the treatment journey. Hope is powerful for a child battling a critical illness, transforming their perspective.
“The way that I have used hope through Griffin’s journey is [that] I’ve always looked for the next thing—what’s the next step. The first phase of his treatment? Well, what’s the next phase and what’s the next after that…for me, Make-A-Wish is that next step. It’s the next really happy step that for Griffin, he is almost done,” said Robert.
When the family returned home, Griffin did a ribbon-cutting, officially opening his ninja obstacle course playset and was quick to make his way through it. The playset includes a punching bag, tires to run through, climbing poles, ladders, zipline, monkey bars, and a secret door.
Coincidentally, Griffin’s wish was celebrated on the four-year anniversary of his diagnosis. Understandably, this had always been a very difficult day for them to remember. On his Wish Day, Griffin kept saying, “This is the best day of my life!” Moving forward, this date will be marked by a very special memory.
It was important to Griffin that he share his wish and we were pleased to find out, weeks after his wish, that his playset has become a favorite spot for kids to enjoy in his neighborhood. Being new to the community, this wish has introduced the family to new neighbors that have now become friends.