Uriah's House of Rock
Your support of Make-A-Wish Oregon gives local kids like Uriah renewed strength and motivation during times of great distress and uncertainty.
Uriah was admitted to OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital on Christmas Eve of 2018. Doctors diagnosed him with high-risk neuroblastoma, which requires some of the most intensive treatment given.
To say this was difficult news for doctors to deliver is an understatement. Especially because Uriah is an aspiring musician and this treatment is toxic to the inner ear.
Patrick DeMartino, M.D., M.P.H says Make-A-Wish allows him to prescribe the hope kids need to cut through those fears.
"Telling a kid they qualify for a wish is the most unexpected, outrageously generous thing for a doctor to share out of the blue. It’s like our Oprah moment," added DeMartino. "We are just the messengers though. It is people like you who make this extreme joy possible."
Assistant Professor of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Make-A-Wish Oregon Board Member Patrick DeMartino, M.D., M.P.H (pictured left) Wish Kid Uriah (pictured right).
Wishes help kids overcome traumatic stress, hopelessness, depression, and loneliness.
Patrick DeMartino, M.D., M.P.H.
In the months following, Uriah did not get to choose much of what was happening to him medically. All of it was scary and out of his control.
The mere mention of Make-A-Wish flipped the switch.
Suddenly, Uriah had autonomy, and his hospital room was swirling with creativity and personality. He dreamed of having his own space where he could play his electric guitars and drum set at all hours of the day, and he’d call it his Music House.
Because of donors like you, Uriah's dream became a reality.
Right now, there are more than 350 local kids like Uriah who are waiting for their wish to come true. When you donate, you bring a child's imagination to life.
Please make a gift of any amount today.
Uriah was in treatment for a while, so DeMartino was able to share in his wish experience from brainstorm to build.
"I saw a lot of smiles from him in that time, but none quite like the smile he flashed when describing the moment his wish came true. It was one of pure elation. He’s endured so much, and this Music House means the world to him," DeMartino said.
When you donate, you are doing something exceptional. You are giving a child an extraordinarily positive experience at a time when they are experiencing the extreme negative.
Patrick DeMartino, M.D., M.P.H.
Uriah plays an original song on his drum set.
Uriah is all smiles in his Music House
Uriah enjoys spending time up in the loft of his Music House.
Uriah plays an original song on the guitar.
Uriah enjoys playing the piano in his Music House.
Thank you to our big-hearted friends at Urban Lumber for supporting Uriah's wish no matter the odds, obstacles, or cost.
Their dedicated team worked rain and shine to assemble Uriah's House of Rock and it was a true labor of love.
Since 2020, Urban Lumber has partnered with Make-A-Wish Oregon to help make numerous construction-related wishes come true during the pandemic.
We are so grateful for their continued support of our mission.
Uriah hangs out with the Urban Lumber crew during the construction of his Music House.