Gage is an outgoing 18-year-old from Pine Bluffs who loves fishing, hunting (white tail deer specifically), hiking, and exploring Wyoming’s outdoors. For Gage, his senior year of high school should have been filled with outdoor adventures, sports, and time with friends, but a quick turn of events changed everything for him and ultimately led to his wish being granted by Make-A-Wish Wyoming.

In high school, Gage began getting sudden and terrible bloody noses, which led him to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist, who confirmed Gage had a tumor in his face that would require surgery as soon as possible. However, due to the softball-sized tumor, which was thankfully not malignant, Gage first had to go through a few months of chemo before undergoing a 17-hour surgery in February 2025. Though he spent his 18^th birthday in the hospital, Gage successfully recovered from surgery and finished his last day of radiation the day before his high school graduation in May.  

“The doctors expected me to be in the hospital for a month, but I got out in less than a week. I missed a lot of my senior year, spending most of my time in and out of the hospital, but I finished radiation, drove home from Fort Collins, and had my graduation the next day. It was hard, but I just rode the wave of life to get through it, taking it day by day and trying not to stress too much,” says Gage.

Though Gage’s tumor was not malignant, he went through months of radiation and chemotherapy. His time spent in treatment allowed him to dream of a wish to a location he had always wanted to visit. When it came time for his wish to be granted by Make-A-Wish Wyoming, Gage knew he was going to Hawaii.

Gage, his parents, and his younger brother landed in Kauai in June, ready for an island adventure of a lifetime. Along with exploring the island, Gage enjoyed mountain tubing, which took him down a river through the caves and mountains of Kauai. The family also enjoyed a sunset cruise around the Napali coast, a major highlight for Gage, as he and his family watched dolphins swim alongside the boat. During their trip, Gage and his family also surfed for the first time. As a Wyoming kid, it took a bit of practice and determination, but Gage ultimately rode the Hawaiian waves.

“Surfing was so much fun, I was out on my board on the water just watching my parents learn to surf, which was great and funny at the same time. Plus, our hotel room looked right over the beach, so we got to see the sunsets and waves on the ocean morning and night,” says Gage.

The time spent in between surf sessions and mountain exploring was filled with trying new foods, visiting the nearby pineapple store to eat fresh pineapples, renting a beachside cabana for a day of relaxation, and snorkeling.

“It was truly life-changing and brought our family closer together. It was a lot of fun. I had seen Hawaii in photos and videos and have always wanted to go, and this wish took me there,” says Gage.

Make-A-Wish Wyoming grants wishes for kids with a wide variety of life-altering conditions like Gage’s. You can help grant wishes and brighten days for kids all across Wyoming by donating or referring them to Make-A-Wish. Learn more at https://wish.org/wyoming.