Make-A-Wish Foundation

     My sister had a life threatening disease called cancer. What began as a suspected "pulled muscle" in her back, has become a diagnosis of cancer. After treatment by a chiropractor and for a couple months for the pulled muscle, Brenna begin to experience numbness radiating around her ribs to one side. We then went to the doctor. An MRI was performed and the tumor was found. It is on her 8th rib between her ribs and lung. She proceeded to have a CT Scan, a Chest X-Ray, an Ultrasound, and a Biopsy after the MRI showed the tumor. 
     Then began the "long" wait for the results of the biopsy. About 10 days later she was diagnosed with a type of bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma - Askin's Tumor. The doctor said it was very rare, only about 200 cases in the US a year. But also a very serious form of pediatric cancer. We were referred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester to begin treatment.

     After many treatments and surgery, and lots of chemo. Brenna is finally back to health.  She started school a normal sophomore this year, having caught up on all her schoolwork from last year.

     So how this all relates to Make-A-Wish Foundation is Brenna was selected to have her wish granted. By these steps that the Make-A-Wish Foundation follows:

 

Step 1: Referral

They rely on medical professionals, parents and children themselves for referrals. Children who have reached the age of 2½ and are under the age of 18 at the time of referral who have not received a wish from another wish-granting organization may be eligible for a wish.

Step 2: Medical eligibility

They determine a child’s medical eligibility with the help of the treating physician. To receive a wish, the child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition – i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy.

Step 3: Finding the true wish

They send one of our enthusiastic wish teams to learn the child’s one true wish. These passionate volunteers connect with wish children and help explore their imaginations for the experience that will delight and inspire them.

Step 4: Creating joy

Their wish granters create an unforgettable experience driven by the child’s creativity. It’s an incredible experience that enriches not just the lives of the children and their families, but often an entire community.

     My sister chose to go to Europe with her family. So we are going to Paris. My whole family is excited especially my sister who gets her wish granted.