Maura Says Aloha to Hawaii

Maura’s day-to-day life before this was focused solely on her cancer and treatment, but everything changed on her wish trip. Maura’s interest in geology and the environment bloomed from taking a geology course, creating a thirst for knowledge about Hawaii’s different surroundings and environment.  
 
While staying on the island of Kauai, Maura and her family ventured on journeys they’ve never experienced before: a traditional luau, zip lining, a helicopter ride, and even horseback riding on the beach! The luau was an extra special treat for Maura and her family because they got to dance along with the dancers and felt involved in the celebration. All these activities brought the family closer together and made this trip feel magical. “It gave her something to dream about,” says Maura’s mother.

Since this fun-filled getaway, Maura’s new look on life goes past her hospital stays and chemotherapy sessions. Instead of those things, Maura now likes to talk about her trip and reminisce on her Hawaiian adventures with her friends. For Maura, this was the positive spin that she needed and created such an “extremely positive impact on her life.”  
 
Wish Granters: Raquel Del Orbe-Polonsky and Susan Lawrence  
Referred by: Samantha Utter, her child life specialist  
Wish adopted by Polen Capital Management