I wish to have a Quinceañera

Karla

17

leukemia

Karla leaning her arms on the back of a chair

Karla's Story

Sweet and quiet, Karla sat across from her volunteer Wish Granters knowing exactly what she wanted - her greatest desire. Karla was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 14 and her family reeled from the news. They just could not believe this was happening to their sweet girl. Karla’s treatment caused her to spend long hours at the hospital and lose all of her hair. 

Karla in a tiara and royal blue dress poses for the camera

Her one true Wish was to have a party with all of her friends and family – a special party where they could all be together and that they would always remember – a party to celebrate her Quinceañera. Her face lit up as she described her Quinceañera party down to the smallest detail. Her Wish Granters knew that putting together this event in three weeks would be a tall order, but they passionately jumped in to help make this special girl's wish come true.  With volunteers taking the lead and with the help of numerous community members and local businesses, 200 family and friends gathered to celebrate Karla on the day of her 15th birthday.  She made a grand entrance as she emerged from a limousine and stepped onto the red carpet. Karla was wearing a full-length royal dress in her favorite color blue, a beautiful long, black wig that resembled her own hair and a sparkling tiara.

During her magical evening, Karla had special dances with her mother and both of her grandfathers. One of her grandfathers explained, "This is an unexpected blessing for my little girl. We have suffered with her illness and worried at the thought of not giving her a Quinceañera, but we received this wonderful surprise thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation."  For a night, Karla and her family forgot about her illness and reveled in her joy.

"This is an unexpected blessing for my little girl. We ... worried at the thought of not giving her a Quinceañera, but we received this wonderful surprise thanks to the Make-A-Wish
Karla's grandfather