Picture hanging out with Olaf from Frozen for a day, that’s what it’s like to spend time with easy-going, happy-go-lucky kid, Gabe. As a social butterfly, now 10-year-old Gabe brings joy and laughter to any situation, whether that’s spending time with his older brother and sisters, hanging out with his friends, or playing with his dog. Gabe enjoys reading, playing video games, and riding his bike. In April 2025, Gabe and his family left their home in Sheridan to attend the second annual Serving Up Wishes, where they were surprised with videos sent in from his family members sharing messages filled with excitement for Gabe about his upcoming wish to go to his family reunion.

A year before his wish would be granted, Gabe was experiencing unusual symptoms that increased in frequency over the course of a few months. Along with these symptoms, his parents noticed changes in behavior and personality, including basic motor functions. Knowing something wasn’t right, they swiftly took him to the doctor.

After some initial scans, Gabe was sent to Denver Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor that presented a very rare and aggressive form of cancer. At just 9 years old, Gabe underwent brain surgery that removed most of the tumor, followed by five rounds of chemotherapy and stem cell treatments, and 30 rounds of radiation therapy.

“Gabe went through a lot; it was a long year. It’s so weird, you go from normal day-to-day life, and then all of a sudden there’s this huge change. Between the surgery, which went well, and all the treatments, we did have some scary moments and days spent in the ICU. Gabe, however, recovered so well and bounced back as best as he could after going through what he did. His attitude was always positive and cheerful,” says Gabe’s mom, Emily.

Now in remission, Gabe went on the trip of a lifetime when his wish was granted by Make-A-Wish Wyoming in July 2025 to go to his family reunion in North Carolina.

“When Gabe was going through his treatments, our family was split for about a year. I was in Denver with him, and his dad was in Sheridan with his siblings. As we sat in the hospital, the only thing he wanted was to be home with family. So, when we were talking about his wish and bouncing around some ideas, all he kept saying was ‘I just want to be with my family,’” says Emily.

The timing couldn’t have been better for Gabe’s wish to see his family. Every three years, his relatives host a family reunion on the beaches of North Carolina. His parents pitched the idea of going to the family reunion for his wish, and he was instantly sold. Soon after, Gabe and his family packed their beach essentials and red, white, and blue attire to spend the Fourth of July in Surf City, North Carolina, for his family reunion.

After landing on the East Coast, Gabe was not only reeling from his first plane ride, but also his first time seeing the ocean, walking on the sandy beaches, and enjoying the cool rush of the waves. Between the big celebrations and adventures with his relatives and the quiet moments spent together as a family, Gabe’s trip was filled with memorable moments that allowed his year of hardship to drift away from his thoughts.

“Make-A-Wish made this trip so incredible. They found a private beach house for our family next to where our relatives were staying. When we walked in, we found so many cards and gift cards from local businesses. The whole Surf City community truly rallied around us. There was so much goodness, it was amazing,” says Emily.

During their week on the beach, Gabe was visited by the Mayor of Surf City and declared July 8, 2025, as Gabe Day, a proclamation celebrating Gabe, his strength, and his heartfelt wish to visit his family in North Carolina. A local photographer showed up to take family photos, the fire department came by and took Gabe for a ride down the beach in their rescue vehicle, and their beachfront home was even invaded by pirates! Gabe also swam in the ocean, played games with his cousins, searched for shark teeth in the sand, and visited the Sea Turtle Sanctuary, where his family got a private tour. Yet with all the adventures and community surprises, Gabe’s favorite part was spending time with his family.

“I didn’t even realize how much we needed this trip. It was so healing for us as a family, but especially for Gabe. It brought closure from one chapter and started a new one. What we went through was so heavy, all the uncertainty and ‘what-ifs.’ I had no idea how we would travel across the country and plan this trip. Make-A-Wish took that off our plate and planned the whole thing so we could just enjoy the adventure ahead. This wish changed our lives,” says Emily.

Children around the state, like Gabe, are waiting for their dreams to come true and feel the hope and joy that comes from a wish. Help Make-A-Wish Wyoming grant wishes and inspire hope by donating your dollars or your time at wish.org/Wyoming.