Be a big hero to our little heroes! Save the date, make a donation and help grant a wish! Wishes Can Happen grants the wishes of local children – ages 3 through 21 – with life threatening medical conditions. Each wish has a life changing impact for everyone involved! Over the last ten years — because of your generosity — we’ve raised more then one million dollars in donations! If they can wish it, we can make it happen! Our goal this year is 40 wishes! Can we count on you?
Dennis is a guy that loves to hunt, fish and camp – no video games for him. Diagnosed with what they call a “chemo resistant” cancer, he recently had an amputation in hopes of stopping the cancer. Still looking toward the future, this young man plans to recover quickly and has already decided what his wish will be – a fishing trip!
Rakaya has a life threatening form of epilepsy called Lennox Gastaut Syndrome. Able to communicate through a device using only her eyes, her mom says she is a very opinionated young lady who gets her point across. They are hoping to go to the world’s first ultra-accessible theme park in Texas later this year.
Karson is a big fan of all superheroes, and proudly wears this t-shirt everywhere he goes – “Superheroes don’t wear capes – they fight leukemia!” Diagnosed with an aggressive cancer a year ago, this little man is giving it everything he has, and soon he looks forward to going to Disney and hooking up with a few other superheroes down there!
Charlotte was born with multiple heart defects and doesn’t understand all the procedures and surgeries of earlier this year. When asked what she would want for a wish, this red-haired beauty’s reply was . . . “I want to see the castle and the princesses!”
Peyton developed pulmonary stenosis as a result of open heart surgery as an infant. He has to take more breaks than he wants to and feels more fatigue than he should. Right now, he is on his wish and will share the details at the Wish-A-Thon live! Be sure to tune in!
Lyric was born with a difficult form of sickle cell disease that has caused her to have many hospitalizations and surgeries in her young life. On our initial talk with her mom, she described her as having “big ideas, big ideas, big ideas.” Her big wish idea is a Disney cruise!
Kolsen is described as being an extremely friendly and sociable kid who loves to talk! Born with one of the most serious heart defects, hypoplastic left heart, he has been through several open heart surgeries in his young life. He absolutely loves The Descendants and hopes to catch a glimpse of them at Disney while on his wish.
Jane was diagnosed with a very uncommon disease that appeared suddenly at 15 years old with a cough that has caused her numerous hospitalizations. One of the big things on her bucket list is to go to Sea World, as she loves visiting aquariums. She’d also like to visit Disney and Universal.
Archer has spent nearly a week in the hospital every month for the last year and a half for cancer treatments. He is “super-stoked” about his upcoming Legoland wish – as every chance everyone in his family gets (mom, dad and 3 older brothers) . . . they are doing something LEGO! Tune in to hear his story at this year’s Wish-A-Thon!
Jaiden visited us at the Wish-A-Thon last year, fresh from the limo ride home from Florida! This little man had spent a lot of time at both St. Jude and Akron Children’s Hospitals. His wish trip gave the family time to just “be” – with no more separations from hospital admissions We think he might have been just a little overwhelmed at the meeting of his first princess
DJ had wished for a trip to Arizona to visit relatives because family was especially important to him. Admitted to the Cleveland Clinic, his wish was no longer possible. In what were to be the last few weeks of his life, Wishes Can Happen flew his relatives here to spend time with him while in the hospital. A day before they flew back to Arizona, DJ was released from the hospital to a Hero’s Welcome Home with police escorts surrounding the limo.
Born with several life threatening conditions, Kya will live her life in a wheelchair. Her only means of communication is through an assistive device and repeatedly kicked to activate the word “Happy” and “Play” over and over again during her Disney wish. They weren’t told “No” to anything they wanted to do, and the workers and characters were over the top extra accommodating.
Gabriel was born with a very rare condition that affects his liver and kidneys. A doctor was found at Cincinnati Children’s who instantly recognized the illness and knew in time an organ transplant would be necessary. Gabriel and family were all smiles from takeoff in Cleveland for an entire week. Within days of being home, they got the call – and Gabriel had a successful transplant.
Summer spent countless hours at the Akron Zoo before and after treatments and hospitalizations. Recently adopted from China, visiting the zoo seemed to calm her fears. Her wish took her to the San Diego Zoo and we were told that she was particularly captivated by the Giant Panda on loan from her birth country. She also visited Disneyland and met her favorite princess, Mulan!
Enjoying complete remission from cancer, Donchae and his siblings had always wanted to take a vacation together and enjoy all the parks that made Florida famous. Being able to take your shirt off and ride a horse . . . well, that was just an added bonus! The experiences we are able to give our kids because of this Wish-A-Thon are life changing!
Marquia and her sister Canasia are forever friends. When a hospitalization threatened to cancel Marquia’s wish trip, her sister never left her side – not even for a minute. Thankfully, her health improved and she was able to enjoy her heartfelt wish of going to Universal Studios and staying in their brand new, just opened resort – Endless Summer Surfside Inn and Suites. The smiles were never-ending!
Loryn’s mom was feeling so discouraged because of her daughter’s failing health. A call from Wishes Can Happen after a referral from her social worker was just what they needed! Loryn’s wish trip to Jacksonville Beach reminded this mama how to smile again. They had a wonderful time and also were able to visit with Loryn’s grandmother who lived nearby.
Samuel was diagnosed with liver cancer in the first few weeks of his life and treated in China. Adopted by a loving family, Samuel is doing very well now. When his mom asked him what he would want for his wish – the very first thing he said was that he wanted to go back to the orphanage in China and see the playroom. He said he didn’t remember people there – just toys. So we sent him to a place where they were lots of toy-like characters, putting a big smile on his face!
A thoughtful and giving little girl, Miss Hallie is. When offered a wish – any wish – even a trip to Disney –she chose playground equipment at Lake Cable Clubhouse so other kids could enjoy it too. Exactly one year after her diagnosis, her playground was dedicated and WHBC was there to document it. The playground is in memory of Jordyn who passed away in 8th grade, just three short weeks after diagnosis. Hallie’s mom said, “We’ll always know it as the day that Hallie was diagnosed, but we’ll also know it now as the day her park came to life.”
It’s hard to find a picture of Kaitlyn without a smile on her face – and she’s always ready and willing to hand out great big hugs – even to giant rabbits! Kaitlyn has been through many painful procedures, but you would never hear her complain. The wish trip was a needed respite for the whole family.
Having to put all of the after high school plans on hold due to a brain tumor, Macy was more than ready to feel well enough to choose a wish. The only request she had was to go somewhere and relax … and relax she did in the most beautiful condo we could find, right on the beach. The family enjoyed beautiful moments together and built memories that will last a lifetime. We think that smile says it all!
An extremely bright and beautiful girl who just graduated high school, Samantha was more than willing to sport Wishes Can Happen gear everywhere she went! With a big smile and a sunny disposition, is it any wonder she would choose a sunny beach location for her wish? One of her special requests was to ride a horse on the beach. With her dad running alongside to capture the moment, we’re sure her wish trip will live in her heart forever!
After a hard climb back from a life-threatening illness, it was time for Blake to finally kick up his heels and get away from it all. He loved every single thing about his wish and was happy to share it with his siblings. We think it will take this young man quite a while to stop smiling after all the adventures he experienced!
Megan was diagnosed with cancer shortly after graduation. It left her unable to walk, or even use her hands. She has been in treatment for years, and was absolutely thrilled to be offered a wish! Megan and her family paced themselves so as not to wear her out at Disney and Universal. After all that she has been through, this wish trip was exactly what the doctor ordered!
If you can’t come to Springbrook Plaza and donate in person, don’t worry! Donate right here, right now! Or call 330-649- WISH. The average cost of a Wish is at least $5000. How can you help? Simply pick your favorite Mix 941 or New-Talk 1480 WHBC personality listed below. Click, donate and help Grant a Wish! If it’s too hard to pick a team, there’s a donation button for that as well!
Mailing a check? Make your check out to WISHES CAN HAPPEN and mail to Wishes, c/o WHBC, 550 Market Avenue South, Canton, OH 44702. Make a note if you want your donation under a specific team.
