I wanted to reach out and share a meaningful story that has shaped my commitment to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As a high school student and a proud member of the Make-A-Wish Youth
Board, I'm grateful and humbled to highlight the profound impact this organization has had on the life of one of my teachers at Acalanes.

I am thankful to my science teacher Mr. Stewart for sharing his story, which serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit. His experience, along with the many stories I've encountered on the Youth Board, shows the profound impact Make-A-Wish can have on families navigating unimaginable challenges. As I stay involved with
Make-A-Wish, I carry gratitude for the light they brought into my teacher's life during a very difficult time.

My family and I had a truly remarkable experience with Make-A-Wish. When my son was seven, he was diagnosed with an aggressive type of brain cancer. The prognosis was grim, suggesting that survival beyond two years was unlikely. Despite the best medical interventions, he only survived for a year and a half.

As you can imagine, this period was filled with incredibly disorienting emotions. My wife, my daughter (who was five at the time), and I oscillated between feelings of helplessness and denial, constantly uncertain of what the future might hold. We questioned whether my son would be able to have children, if the radiation to his brain
would impair his cognitive abilities, and, of course, whether he would survive. I recall an early conversation with Peter's oncologist, who asked if we would be interested in having Make-A-Wish contact us. Initially, both my wife and I were resistant; to us, Make-A-Wish was for children who were nearing the end of their lives, and we were not ready to accept that reality. However, after several discussions, our oncologist clarified that Make-A-Wish also serves children facing life-threatening, long-term illnesses. Ultimately, we agreed, and we are incredibly grateful that we did. Peter's wish was to visit Washington D.C., as he believed the White House to be the best and largest house
in the country. 

Our experience surpassed our expectations. We were welcomed at the White House by a Secret Service agent who provided us with a personal tour. We explored areas typically inaccessible to the public, including the movie theatre, bowling alley, and kitchen. We even visited the East Wing, where we met the Obamas' dogs, and narrowly missed an opportunity to meet the President himself.

Our visit extended to Capitol Hill, where Capitol Police and their dogs greeted us, and we toured the House chambers and the rotunda. And really- there was a lot more because we were there for 5 days. Moreover, everything was taken care of for us, ahead of time. The flight, the hotel, and dinners; it was remarkably generous.

This experience provided us with a cherished memory, thanks to Make-A-Wish's connections and dedicated personnel. They made our visit to the White House feel as warm and welcoming as visiting a friend's home. Their expertise and compassion truly
shone through, making a significant impact on our lives during a challenging time.

Thank you Make-A-Wish! 

The Stewart Family

Thank you for taking the time to read this story, and I am grateful for any support you can offer to Make-A-Wish in our shared mission to bring hope, strength, and joy to children facing critical illnesses.  

With Gratitude,
Grace