I wish to compete in a baking competition
Blakelyn
12
genetic disorder
Blakelyn's Wish
12-year-old Blakelyn is happiest with a spoon in one hand and sugar in the other.
Coming from a family of bakers, Blakelyn learned her love for baking by perfecting recipes with her family, baking cupcakes on her birthday to share with her friends, and spending countless hours watching the Kids Baking Championship.
“You can see the passion in Blakelyn when she’s baking,” said Courtney, Blakelyn’s mom.
However, for Blakelyn, baking is more than just a passion.
“Baking helps me relax and get my mind off things,” remarked Blakelyn.
When Blakelyn was in first grade, she was diagnosed with von Hippel-Lindau disease, a genetic disorder that causes non-cancerous and cancerous tumors. One of her tumors required her to undergo surgery.
Standing right by her side through it all is Courtney, who also battles the same disorder. The mother and daughter have found strength in one another to overcome the obstacles of the condition.
“She’s able to see me preserve through it and I’m able to use her as support to preserve through it as well,” said Courtney.
Throughout her health journey, baking served as Blakelyn’s creative outlet and safe space for her to do what she loves.
When Blakelyn learned she was eligible to receive a wish, she knew she wanted her wish to involve the one thing she loved the most.
I was really excited but also a little overwhelmed because there was only one thing I really wanted to do and that was being in a baking competition,
Blakelyn
Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley and The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company joined forces to help make a sweet dream come true.
The morning of the competition, Blakelyn first took part in a private baking class with Chef Charles at The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company’s location in East Falls.
“It was really cool working with Chef Charles because he won a lot of baking competitions,” recalled Blakelyn. “I loved seeing the back of 4th Street and how they make and bake all their cookies.”
Later that day, “I was in total shock!” remarked Blakelyn.
Blakelyn’s wish continued the next day with a pastry tour at Isgro, a baking lesson at Tartes. and a class at Flying Monkey! Blakelyn was in her element throughout the day, learning a lot and tasting all the treats made by Philadelphia pastry chefs.
Blakelyn’s wish made her dreams come true but also provided transformative hope to her entire family. Bakelyn's wish was an experience that Courtney will remember forever.
I think for our family as a whole, it was a bright light.
Courtney
"There have been a lot of sad times so being able to come together and everyone get to experience this beautiful time and her being able to win this was huge for our family," continued Courtney.
Blakelyn’s wish not only helped her grow her craft in the kitchen and helped her regain the joy of her youth with one perfect bite!
“It was exactly what I hoped it would be,” said Blakelyn.
