Kids Wish Network would like to wish a “Happy Birthday” to the man who brought beloved Star Wars character, Luke Skywalker, to life… Mark Hamill! In 2005, this Kids Wish Network Celebrity Guardian Angel helped grant the wish of 11-year-old Zachary. Click the photo to read all about Mark and Zachary’s meeting! For photos and
When Caitlin was just five and a half months old, she suffered her first seizure. She was taken to the hospital and was misdiagnosed. When she was seven, her doctors finally discovered that she was suffering from muscular dystrophy, a degenerative group of disorders that affect the functionality of different muscle groups. Every time she
Dylan has cystic fibrosis. When he was asked to choose a wish to have granted by international children’s charity Kids Wish Network, Dylan immediately asked to meet his favorite wrestler, Triple H. With the help of the WWE and some amazing local sponsors in both Michigan and Minnesota, Dylan’s wish came true at The Depot
Donovan may seem like your average teen on paper, but he isn’t. At 18, he’s not only exceptional, he’s a survivor. Just last year, Donovan was diagnosed with having Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymph tissue. He was immediately started on chemotherapy and the treatment took a major toll on him, rendering
Nothing gets 7-year-old Cassandra – aka Cassie – down, not even her condition. She was born with her spinal column exposed, through a disorder called myelomeningocele, which is a form of spina bifida. Spina bifida causes significant problems including paralysis and a compromised immune system, which can lead to other life-threatening illnesses. Cassie’s mother, Theresa,
Luke is an outspoken young man with a bright future ahead of him. He is majoring in communication studies at Furman University and is even the National Youth Chairman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. At just 14 months old, Luke was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease that causes ongoing muscle degeneration for
Gene is a 16-year-old whose many interests keep him very busy. From theatrical set design to acting to music, Gene is interested in many things, including baking and decorating cakes. When his younger sister introduced him to the TLC show Cake Boss, starring Buddy Valastro, Gene was immediately hooked. “I just think he’s cool,” said
Because of her illness, Genysis is limited in what she is able to do and, when she suffers through a pain crisis, she is often unable to do anything at all. However, even when she’s in extreme pain, there is nothing that lifts Genysis’ spirits more than listening to the music of her favorite singer,
In 2011, Shalyn had her wish to meet Disney Channel star and singing sensation Selena Gomez granted by national children’s charity Kids Wish Network. Back in 2009, it was discovered that young Shalyn had Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a cancer of the bone marrow. She was immediately admitted to the hospital and remained there for several
Jazzy is an incredibly sweet teenager who is suffering from kidney failure. This brave girl has been through a great deal in her life and struggles daily with her condition. Jazzy must visit her doctors frequently and endures painful dialysis treatments three times a week. She will need these treatments for the rest of her
Samantha’s whirlwind adventure to meet her idol began soon after her nurse referred her to Kids Wish Network. Samantha had been through a very difficult few years and her family was hopeful that she would be eligible for a wish with the charity. In 2002, Samantha’s life changed dramatically when she was struck by a
Greg’s life changed dramatically after leaving a ceremony where he collected an academics award. He was involved in a car accident, in which he suffered a severe spinal cord injury and a broken vertebrate. Greg, a major sports fan and athlete, suddenly found himself in a wheelchair and the lower half of his body paralyzed.
In 2005, an extraordinary Miami teen enjoyed an incredible afternoon meeting his all-time favorite football team, the Miami Dolphins, in person! Andrew’s special wish came courtesy of Kids Wish Network, a national organization that grants wishes to youngsters with life-threatening illnesses. Andrew is battling cancer. Just a year ago, Andrew was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a
In March of 1996, a tragic car accident changed young Brandon’s life forever. Only two-years-old at the time, Brandon suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left him quadriplegic and confined to a wheelchair. Brandon has limited use of his left hand and experiences no movement or feeling below his waist. He is also dependent
In 2005, Aundre was granted his all-time number one wish: to meet the L.a. Lakers! Aundre suffers from an illness known as spina bifida - a birth defect that occurs when a portion of the spinal column fails to develop and close properly. The disease often brings on a wide range of other anomalies as well,
In 2004 Kids Wish Network granted the wish of Alexandra, a Harry Potter fan suffering from spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when a portion of the spinal column fails to develop and close properly, and hydrocephalus is a condition in which the cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the skull. She has endured many surgeries
[Press Release - August 13, 2003] “He couldn’t run, jump and climb like the other kids,” said Georganna describing her son Kenny’s symptoms 12 years ago. After medical tests, it was revealed that he had Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, a progressive, debilitating disease that affects mostly males. Now age 17, Kenny is confined to a wheelchair
In 2002, four-year-old Jake’s wish to meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was granted through children’s charity Kids Wish Network. When he was nine-months-old, Jake would tilt his head when reaching for things, according to his mother Nancy. “Another big sign was in all his photos, he had white-eye, instead of red-eye,” Nancy said. The signs
Brent was born with cerebral palsy. In 2002, he asked children’s charity Kids Wish Network if he could meet his racing hero, Dale Earnhardt Jr. for his wish. On his wish day, Brent and his family were given VIP tickets to a NASCAR race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. They waited anxiously in the garage area