My name is Cailin Bloom, and I am a senior on the California (UC Berkeley) women’s soccer team. At the end of 2015, my sister was diagnosed with cancer, and in 2016, the Make-A-Wish Foundation reached out to us, offering her the opportunity to make a wish. She chose to be a dolphin trainer for a day at the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas.
As part of the wish, our family was picked up by a limo from our home, driven to the airport, and flown to the Bahamas, where we stayed for a week. We experienced the stunning hotel, complete with water slides, one of which takes you through a shark tank where you can see the sharks up close through the glass. The hotel had fish tanks, sea creature exhibits, beautiful beaches, and lagoons for snorkeling.
One of the highlights was swimming with dolphins, where we kissed, high-fived, and were pushed by them through the water. The next day, my sister fulfilled her wish to be a dolphin trainer, feeding stingrays, holding birds, and caring for other sea creatures. It was the most amazing and fun vacation I’ve ever been on, and I still cherish the special moments from that trip.
My sister went into remission in 2016, but unfortunately, the cancer returned in 2018, and she passed away in 2019. To honor her memory and raise awareness about the incredible work that Make-A-Wish does, I wanted to create a dedication game. This event would not only celebrate her life but also highlight the impact of Make-A-Wish on families like ours, giving children with life-impacting illnesses the chance to experience joy and create lasting memories during such difficult times.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, October 13 vs. Duke at 1 p.m. PT at Edwards Stadium in Berkeley, CA. Tickets can be purchased at CalBears.com with the link below by copying it and pasting it in your browser.
Tickets: https://calbea.rs/3ZsmS0o
