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Beverly Martin
(770) 528-2620
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John Houser
(770) 499-3902
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We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions
to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.
Wishes Fulfilled 2007
Archives: 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 We are delighted to have you share the power of a wish. Please continue to help us grant wishes – your contribution makes a big difference in the lives of these children. Here are the stories of children you helped in 2007:
Gracie’s Magical Experience
In her short life of four years, Gracie has had to endure more hardship than most adults can ever imagine. When Gracie was only 2 ½ years old, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and has been fighting ever since. This form of leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, the cells in the body that normally fight infections. Gracie was a trooper throughout her treatments and was recently declared cancer-free in July of 2007! When The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Georgia and Alabama asked Gracie what her greatest wish would be, she said, “A trip to Disney World to see the princesses!” Gracie loves to play dress up and especially loves dressing up like a princess. Gracie and her entire family spent a week at Give Kids the World Village in Orlando and was able to visit all the theme parks and their princesses! The princesses visited Gracie at Give Kids the World too where she was able to meet with them individually. She was treated even like royalty at all of the Disney theme parks. One of Gracie’s favorite moments was meeting Winnie the Pooh. He gave her a big hug leaving Gracie smiling from ear to ear. It was truly a magical trip and a fresh start for Gracie and her family.
Irvin Gets a Computer
Irvin is a 14-year-old boy who loves video games, rap music, and George Lopez. Irvin also has end-stage renal disease, which requires him to endure dialysis on a regular basis to help his kidneys filter toxins from his blood. He is currently waiting for a new kidney that will help solve these problems. When Irvin learned that he would be granted a wish through The Make-A-Wish Foundation®, he thought long and hard to determine what he wanted. He finally made up his mind that a desktop computer would be perfect to watch DVDs, burn CDs, and listen to music. Make-A-Wish set him up with a brand new computer and a desk to put it on. Also, Irvin picked out new games for his new computer to keep him entertained. Irvin’s entire family was able to share in his excitement with his new computer. The experience brought a smile to his face and will give him something at home to enjoy while he awaits a new kidney.
Jessup Gets a New Laptop
When the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Georgia and Alabama asked thirteen-year-old Jessup what he wanted to wish for, he didn’t have time to blink before he chose a shopping spree to his favorite electronic store. Jessup has acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the white blood cells used to fight infection, but that doesn’t stop him from having fun. On Jessup’s big day, he and his family were escorted in a very fitting Hummer limo to his lunch of choice and then it was off to shop. Jessup knew exactly what his purchases would be from the start. He wanted World of Warcraft video games and, of course, a new laptop to play them on. Jessup would like to be a video game designer himself so a new computer and video games are essential to enhancing his video gaming hobby! Now after long days that may have him feeling down, Jessup can retreat to his new laptop and find joy in doing what he loves most!
Lola’s Shopping Spree
Lola is a sixteen-year-old teen who loves to play soccer, watch television shows, and listen to her favorite band Rebelde’s music. But Lola’s illness, End-Stage Renal Disease, often keeps her busy with regular dialysis treatments to help her kidneys filter toxins from her blood. When Make-A-Wish Foundation® offered to grant a wish for Lola, she knew immediately that her wish would be to go on a shopping spree! Lola chose this wish because she wanted to be able to buy a new laptop so that she could listen to Rebelde’s music and talk on the internet with her friends. On the morning of her wish, Lola, her mom, and her siblings were picked up at their house in a stretch limousine to travel to the mall in style. For five hours, Lola was able to shop at store after store, and at the end of the day Lola had a new laptop, mp3 player, cell phone, clothes, and jewelry! She said she felt like a true celebrity because of the special treatment and personal shopper she enjoyed throughout the day. Away from hospital rooms and dialysis procedures, Lola and her entire family were able to relax and truly enjoy the day.
Torianna Shops ‘Till She Drops
Torianna is a typical 14-year-old girl who loves to spend her free time shopping with her friends and playing Guitar Hero. Unfortunately, Torianna has been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a disease that causes bile to build up in the liver and, as a result, damages liver cells. One of the main concerns with PSC is the potential for liver failure in patients. Despite this, Torianna refuses to let PSC slow her down. Torianna knew exactly what she wanted when choosing her wish: She wanted to pursue her favorite pastime, shopping. On the day of her shopping spree, Torianna was picked up from her home in a stretch limousine! Her first stop was Best Buy where she received VIP treatment with her own personal shopper and a bodyguard to carry her bags. After purchasing a new laptop, Torianna continued on to both Phipps Plaza and Lenox Mall. There, she stocked up on clothes, bathing suits, handbags, and jewelry. Torriana’s father said that the experience was the most fun they had in quite a while. Everyone could see the happiness in Torianna’s face throughout the day.
William’s New Ride
William is a charismatic seventeen-year-old who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system including the glands, thymus, spleen, tonsils and bone marrow. Thankfully, William is now in complete remission, and like every other typical male teenager, likes to take drives around town with friends. When William found out that his medical condition allowed him to receive a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation® he was overwhelmed with possible wishes. After he put a lot of hard thought into it, William finally decided on the one perfect wish, to fully restore his car. William’s Mitsubishi Galant received a full makeover and was barely recognizable when he was given the car back. With a new paint job, rims, sound system, Lamborghini doors and endless other restorations, William was overjoyed. This wish was definitely an unforgettable occasion for William, and the car will be a daily reminder of his wish experience!
Patrick Goes swimming with the dolphins
Sixteen-year-old Patrick suffers from leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow. Leukemia creates abnormal white blood cells that don’t stop growing and crowd out normal blood cells. This illness requires months or even years of extensive, painful treatment. When Make-A-Wish volunteers visited Patrick and his family, Patrick told them that he has always wanted to swim with the dolphins and to visit SeaWorld to learn about different marine animals. When Patrick’s wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation ® of Georgia and Alabama, he and his family flew to Orlando. Their first stop was Sea World! Patrick was able to touch, play with, talk to, and learn about a variety of sea creatures, especially dolphins. Patrick gained his vast knowledge of dolphins by swimming with them! This hands-on learning was especially extraordinary for Patrick as he is often confined to a hospital bed undergoing treatment and unable to participate in such education. His dream had come true! In addition, Patrick was able to play with penguins and watch an exciting Shamu show during his visit. Lastly, Patrick enjoyed two fun filled days at Universal Studios of Orlando and Islands of Adventure as part of his wish trip. Patrick was able to not only cut loose and have fun, but to gain first hand knowledge of the creatures that have always intrigued him.
In her short life of four years, Gracie has had to endure more hardship than most adults can ever imagine. When Gracie was only 2 ½ years old, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and has been fighting ever since. This form of leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, the cells in the body that normally fight infections. Gracie was a trooper throughout her treatments and was recently declared cancer-free in July of 2007! When The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Georgia and Alabama asked Gracie what her greatest wish would be, she said, “A trip to Disney World to see the princesses!” Gracie loves to play dress up and especially loves dressing up like a princess. Gracie and her entire family spent a week at Give Kids the World Village in Orlando and was able to visit all the theme parks and their princesses! The princesses visited Gracie at Give Kids the World too where she was able to meet with them individually. She was treated even like royalty at all of the Disney theme parks. One of Gracie’s favorite moments was meeting Winnie the Pooh. He gave her a big hug leaving Gracie smiling from ear to ear. It was truly a magical trip and a fresh start for Gracie and her family.
Irvin Gets a Computer
Irvin is a 14-year-old boy who loves video games, rap music, and George Lopez. Irvin also has end-stage renal disease, which requires him to endure dialysis on a regular basis to help his kidneys filter toxins from his blood. He is currently waiting for a new kidney that will help solve these problems. When Irvin learned that he would be granted a wish through The Make-A-Wish Foundation®, he thought long and hard to determine what he wanted. He finally made up his mind that a desktop computer would be perfect to watch DVDs, burn CDs, and listen to music. Make-A-Wish set him up with a brand new computer and a desk to put it on. Also, Irvin picked out new games for his new computer to keep him entertained. Irvin’s entire family was able to share in his excitement with his new computer. The experience brought a smile to his face and will give him something at home to enjoy while he awaits a new kidney.
Jessup Gets a New Laptop
When the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Georgia and Alabama asked thirteen-year-old Jessup what he wanted to wish for, he didn’t have time to blink before he chose a shopping spree to his favorite electronic store. Jessup has acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the white blood cells used to fight infection, but that doesn’t stop him from having fun. On Jessup’s big day, he and his family were escorted in a very fitting Hummer limo to his lunch of choice and then it was off to shop. Jessup knew exactly what his purchases would be from the start. He wanted World of Warcraft video games and, of course, a new laptop to play them on. Jessup would like to be a video game designer himself so a new computer and video games are essential to enhancing his video gaming hobby! Now after long days that may have him feeling down, Jessup can retreat to his new laptop and find joy in doing what he loves most!
Lola’s Shopping Spree
Lola is a sixteen-year-old teen who loves to play soccer, watch television shows, and listen to her favorite band Rebelde’s music. But Lola’s illness, End-Stage Renal Disease, often keeps her busy with regular dialysis treatments to help her kidneys filter toxins from her blood. When Make-A-Wish Foundation® offered to grant a wish for Lola, she knew immediately that her wish would be to go on a shopping spree! Lola chose this wish because she wanted to be able to buy a new laptop so that she could listen to Rebelde’s music and talk on the internet with her friends. On the morning of her wish, Lola, her mom, and her siblings were picked up at their house in a stretch limousine to travel to the mall in style. For five hours, Lola was able to shop at store after store, and at the end of the day Lola had a new laptop, mp3 player, cell phone, clothes, and jewelry! She said she felt like a true celebrity because of the special treatment and personal shopper she enjoyed throughout the day. Away from hospital rooms and dialysis procedures, Lola and her entire family were able to relax and truly enjoy the day.
Torianna Shops ‘Till She Drops
Torianna is a typical 14-year-old girl who loves to spend her free time shopping with her friends and playing Guitar Hero. Unfortunately, Torianna has been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a disease that causes bile to build up in the liver and, as a result, damages liver cells. One of the main concerns with PSC is the potential for liver failure in patients. Despite this, Torianna refuses to let PSC slow her down. Torianna knew exactly what she wanted when choosing her wish: She wanted to pursue her favorite pastime, shopping. On the day of her shopping spree, Torianna was picked up from her home in a stretch limousine! Her first stop was Best Buy where she received VIP treatment with her own personal shopper and a bodyguard to carry her bags. After purchasing a new laptop, Torianna continued on to both Phipps Plaza and Lenox Mall. There, she stocked up on clothes, bathing suits, handbags, and jewelry. Torriana’s father said that the experience was the most fun they had in quite a while. Everyone could see the happiness in Torianna’s face throughout the day.
William’s New Ride
William is a charismatic seventeen-year-old who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system including the glands, thymus, spleen, tonsils and bone marrow. Thankfully, William is now in complete remission, and like every other typical male teenager, likes to take drives around town with friends. When William found out that his medical condition allowed him to receive a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation® he was overwhelmed with possible wishes. After he put a lot of hard thought into it, William finally decided on the one perfect wish, to fully restore his car. William’s Mitsubishi Galant received a full makeover and was barely recognizable when he was given the car back. With a new paint job, rims, sound system, Lamborghini doors and endless other restorations, William was overjoyed. This wish was definitely an unforgettable occasion for William, and the car will be a daily reminder of his wish experience!
Patrick Goes swimming with the dolphins
Sixteen-year-old Patrick suffers from leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow. Leukemia creates abnormal white blood cells that don’t stop growing and crowd out normal blood cells. This illness requires months or even years of extensive, painful treatment. When Make-A-Wish volunteers visited Patrick and his family, Patrick told them that he has always wanted to swim with the dolphins and to visit SeaWorld to learn about different marine animals. When Patrick’s wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation ® of Georgia and Alabama, he and his family flew to Orlando. Their first stop was Sea World! Patrick was able to touch, play with, talk to, and learn about a variety of sea creatures, especially dolphins. Patrick gained his vast knowledge of dolphins by swimming with them! This hands-on learning was especially extraordinary for Patrick as he is often confined to a hospital bed undergoing treatment and unable to participate in such education. His dream had come true! In addition, Patrick was able to play with penguins and watch an exciting Shamu show during his visit. Lastly, Patrick enjoyed two fun filled days at Universal Studios of Orlando and Islands of Adventure as part of his wish trip. Patrick was able to not only cut loose and have fun, but to gain first hand knowledge of the creatures that have always intrigued him.