Neisha Burnom has experienced the power of a wish through several lenses — first as a wish mom and then as a wish granter. Her daughter Tori was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 13 and spent two years courageously facing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. During that time, Neisha and her family were introduced to Make-A-Wish, and her daughter’s wish to go to Disney World came true.

“No one can prepare you as a mother to see your children go through childhood cancer, but Make-A-Wish truly took a huge burden away, and we really forgot about everything we were faced with. I am forever grateful for Make-A-Wish,” she shared.

While Tori's wish was being granted, Neisha’s family worked with two wonderful wish granters—a mother-daughter duo that guided them through the wish journey. A few months after her daughter's wish was granted, Neisha and her mother signed up to become wish-granting volunteers together. They were both deeply impacted by their own family’s experience and wanted to make wishes happen for other children with critical illnesses in the community. Fast forward nearly two decades, and Neisha’s family and friends are still making wishes come true.

“Due to my mother’s own battle with cancer, my daughter signed up to become a wish granter and recently my son did, too. Throughout the years, several coworkers saw or heard about what I do and have also been inspired to sign up and have become wish granters,” she said.

Neisha’s favorite part of the volunteer experience is the wish reveal—the moment when a child finds out their wish is being granted. She loves to “see how happy they are, seeing their smile or even the once-shy child hug you with pure joy.”

She also loves volunteering with children who wish for shopping sprees and enjoys seeing wish kids shop for anything their heart desires.

“One particular shopping spree wish that stands out was a shopping spree at a Walmart in Fort Worth. They really made the wish child feel special and like a princess that day. Prior to showing up at the store, she was shy and reserved. As soon as the limo pulled up to the store and she saw all the workers lined up at the entrance, her face lit up with excitement. All the employees greeted her as she walked inside the store and she had a personal shopper the entire time she was there to help her with anything she needed. It was an unforgettable experience,” she shared.

Through every wish experience, Neisha remembers her own family’s journey and demonstrates endless compassion and kindness to every wish kid she meets. We’re grateful for Neisha’s dedication to our mission and can’t thank her enough for all the wishes she has helped grant over the years.

“Volunteering with Make-A-Wish has opened my eyes to the fact that life is short, unpredictable and precious. We should all live it with purpose. Aim for happiness and give back.”

Wishes are waiting across North Texas. Sign up to volunteer and help make them come true today!