Typically wishes fall into one of four categories, I wish to have, I wish to meet, I wish to be, and I wish to go. Every now and then, our chapter receives a wish to give back - where a child wishes to use their wish to benefit others. This is the case of 8-year-old leukemia survivor, Elaina. When she thought about her wish she decided that she wanted to use it to create an impact on those less fortunate. Elaina's wish is to transform the lives of those in need.

When Susana Guerra heard the news that her four-year-old daughter, Elaina, had leukemia, like any mother, she was worried beyond belief. She didn’t know what the future held for her daughter, or how Elaina’s medical journey would impact their family. 

“When you get the diagnosis that your child has leukemia, and you don't know the outcome, you hold on to it every single day and every single moment,” said Guerra. “As a mom, you try to control things because we want what’s best for our children. When that ability to control the outcome was completely taken away from us, all we had left was faith and hope.”

Susana said while it was one of the most difficult and challenging times her family has ever experienced, it also led to other positive experiences. Especially when Make-A-Wish entered their lives, and asked Elaina what she wanted for her one true wish. Originally, Elaina planned to ask for a trip, but after thinking about it longer, she decided to do something unexpected. 

“She said, ‘mom, I don’t need a trip, I want to help other people instead,” said Guerra. “I think we were all taken back and asked her if she was sure this was what she wanted to do. But she was very determined and had a clear vision for what she wanted her wish to look like. The Make-A-Wish team listened so closely to what she described, and to see it come true was amazing.”

Elaina wished to transform the lives of others and inspire others to help. The 8-year-old researched and hand-selected 15 nonprofits in the Kansas City community to give back to. Each nonprofit was asked to submit items they were in most need of and those items were made available to purchase on Amazon through the Make-A-Wish website. She received a tremendous amount of support from people all over the community. On her Wish Day, she got to hand-deliver hundreds of donated items to all 15 charities. 

“To finally see that day come to life was very surreal,” said Guerra. “I almost couldn’t believe it was happening. To see her smile, her joy, she was so excited and so happy. And now she’s so healthy and so strong. To really be able to take a step back and see and hear her experience in that moment was amazing. I felt blessed that day.”

Today, Elaina is 8-years-old and healthy. She and her family hope to continue the tradition of giving back to those in the community each year to honor Elaina’s Wish Day on April 20th. And Elaina continues to be an inspiration to her family.

“What Elaina has taught me is that love can make a world of difference in any situation,” said Guerra. “Watching Elaina’s persistence, her love, her faith, her hope that she carries, no matter what the circumstance, was a beautiful gift.”