Jace is a 12-year-old boy from Dell Rapids, South Dakota. As described by his mom, Beth, he is “funny, has a huge heart, and is able to let things that bother him go.” In September of 2019, Jace’s dad, Wade, noticed that Jace’s right thigh was larger than his left. After scheduling an MRI with their doctor, it was discovered that Jace had a large tumor. Additional scans and testing revealed that Jace had a rare cancer--so rare that only about fifty people are diagnosed with it each year.

When Make-A-Wish was presented to Jace’s family by one of his doctors, Jace’s younger brother, Tucker, was persistent about referring Jace to Make-A-Wish. With his parents’ support, Tucker called Make-A-Wish to share his brother's story and get the ball rolling. Jace did qualify for a wish, and when his family found this out, they cheered! “He instantly started planning his wish… It was fun to watch him be so consumed by dreaming and planning for his wish that he forgot about his cancer,” Beth said. “Any time that Jace would be a bit bummed out because of his cancer, his brother was quick to remind him about his wish… An instant pick-me-up!”

A couple of Jace’s favorite ways to spend time include playing video games and having movie nights with his family. He also loves playing and watching football and basketball, especially with his friends. With all this in mind, Jace knew that a gamers’ hideaway was just what he wanted to wish for!

On Saturday, December 5^th, some of Jace’s family members and closest friends gathered in celebration of his wish day. After weeks of planning, his wish was finally coming true. Sports-themed decorations? Check. 85-inch television? Check. Xbox, gaming chairs, and a pinball machine? Check, check, and check! All these items and more awaited Jace’s arrival in his brand-new gamers’ hideaway!

Jace and his family pulled up to their home, where they found everyone waiting for them outside. As he stepped out of the car, the group shouted, “Happy wish day, Jace!” in unison. Even though he was wearing a mask, you could see the joy sparkling in his eyes. Jace then made his way into his home and down into the basement for the big reveal. He first laid eyes on his Stranger Things pinball machine, and there was pure shock on his face. He stood with his mouth wide open as his brother shouted, “Woah!” This enthusiasm between the two brothers was a highlight for their parents. “[Jace] doesn’t often express emotions outwardly, so to see him like this is special,” Beth said.

After taking in a lot of excitement within a matter of minutes, Jace sat down in one of his new gaming chairs to test it out. He quickly learned that the surprises weren’t over yet. Jace, a huge South Dakota State University Jackrabbits fan, was shocked to see his new tv playing a video of SDSU coaches sending their well wishes to the wish kid. The icing on the cake was SDSU’s mascot, Jack the Jackrabbit, being present for Jace’s wish day! “It was absolutely amazing! We are still in awe of what took place for our son,” Beth said. When the video was finished playing, Jace was told that it was time to head back outside for one last surprise.

Led by fire trucks, police cars, and Jace’s Adopt-A-Wish partner, Eagle Lawn & Landscaping, a parade started down the street! Jace’s family waved to passing cars, listened to the Dell Rapids High School marching band, and ran out to the street to pick up candy and roses being thrown at them. Jace shared that the parade was a highlight of his wish day. Reflecting on his wish day, he said, “I was happy and very grateful for the people who put it all together.”

Now, a couple months after his wish was granted, Jace and his family are still enjoying the comfort and entertainment his wish provides. “It helps take my mind off of healing and cancer when I am downstairs in my gamers’ hideaway,” Jace said. Beth expressed that she is thankful for the distraction, too. “The entire day happened because of Jace’s cancer journey, but not once did we have cancer or his healing on our minds,” Beth said.

Prior to Jace’s wish being granted, he was given the incredible news that his cancer was gone! With chemo and surgery finished, Jace was able to start his recovery, working every day to help his leg get stronger. Even now, after his wish, Beth said that Jace is still in the healing process: “His other muscles are still trying to figure out how they need to work. Luckily, he is not restricted to what he can and cannot do, so he is playing basketball and flag football… We are looking forward to the day when he is able to fully be “Jace” again.”