Koen, a 7-year-old from rural South Dakota, has a passion for farming that he wants to share with the world. If it weren’t for this outgoing young boy’s respiratory disorder, he would spend all his time on the farm. The time he can spend outside with his tractors and animals is limited, because dust in the air has potential to aggravate his symptoms.

Koen has had quite the medical journey with his condition, which has included hospital stays, a lot of testing and even more pokes. His current treatments require regular doctor visits for shots and testing. He also does daily treatments at home with a nebulizer and shaker vest.

Despite all this, Koen doesn’t let his condition get him down. When he is able to go outside, he carries a backpack with special medical equipment to help him in case something should happen while he is outside. He keeps himself occupied during his daily treatments by playing games and watching his favorite tv shows. Koen even has a talent for playing the piano.

When Koen found out that he could have any wish – a trip, a shopping spree, a chance to meet someone famous, he took his time to contemplate what the perfect wish would be. Finally, one day while he was receiving one of his monthly shots, his wish came to him! He was on his way home with his mom; he was tired and sore from the stressful day at the hospital. He decided that other kids shouldn’t have to feel the way he did. Koen wished to transform the waiting room experience for kids at Avera Medical Group Pediatric Specialists Sioux Falls. Koen was going to teach other kids about farming and provide them a little escape from the hospital environment.

Koen’s family shares his compassion for kids like him.

Once word got out about Koen’s wish, it grew bigger than anyone could have anticipated, because so many people wanted to help! Tractor Supply Foundation stepped in with a significant donation of $25,000 to help transform the waiting room into Koen’s Farm. This incredible makeover will touch the lives of hundreds of kids who pass through this area on their medical journey. With the help of volunteers, donors, business partners and others, the big reveal happened on World Wish Day, April 29!

Koen’s Farm includes farm-themed videos, engaging activities and farm safety lessons. “I want to take kids’ minds off of it, and I want them to feel better,” Koen said. Koen’s wish was uniquely created to follow kids like him through their hospital journey. In the waiting room, kids can learn more about farming through an interactive display and a tractor that is attached to the wall. They will receive a coloring activity book that was designed by Koen and crayons during their visit. After their visit, kids will also get to choose from a treasure chest filled with tractor toys that were donated by Tractor Supply Company to take home with them.

Before Koen’s wish came true, his parents had not fully understood the impact hospital days had on their son, but the ability to design his very own farm gave him hope and joy! He customized the animals at Koen’s Farm to match the animals on his family farm, along with a red cabbed tractor just like his dad’s.

In addition to Tractor Supply Company Foundation’s involvement, Koen’s wish was made possible by several local generous donors, each with a strong connection to Make-A-Wish and Avera.  First, Jeff and Julie (Norton) Lautt. Julie is the CFO for Avera, and Jeff is the President of POET. Second, Kathleen Kunkel and her daughters Megan, Katie and Carly, in loving memory of their husband and father Shawn. Kathleen is Mission Formation Consultant for Avera. Third, the Ty Eschenbaum Foundation – In Honor of Autumn. Ty is a wish alumnus, having received his wish to go to Disney World in 2004. During his battle with cancer while in high school, Ty received his medical care at Avera and today serves on Avera’s Rural Cancer Advisory Committee.

Many other generous corporate partners stepped up to bring Koen’s wish to life, working directly with Koen through the planning and design phases of his wish. The design of Koen’s wish was created by HenkinSchultz of Sioux Falls, Nanonation of Lincoln, NE, and Avera.  The other groups that partnered to make his wish come true were Journey Construction of Sioux Falls, Thompson Electric of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Interiors, Elo Touch Solutions, Dell Computers, Peerless-AV and Sisson Printing of Sioux Falls. Volunteers JoAnn McHugh, Mary Jacobs and Gerald Schied helped to pull everything together for Koen’s wish, and Marlee Hayes used her photography skills to capture the special moments.

Those who were involved in Koen’s wish were inspired to instill hope in kids who battle critical illnesses. After being diagnosed with a critical illness, a wish brings renewed energy, strength, hope and joy back into a child’s life.  We need the help and support of donors and volunteers, like Koen’s, so we can grant the wish of every eligible child.