As a former Wish Kid myself, Make-A-Wish is an organization that is truly near and dear to my heart.

I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when I was 14. Not long after my diagnosis, the nurse's handed me an application for a Make-A-Wish. At the time I thought Wishes were only granted to dying children, so I threw it in the trash because I knew that would not be me.

It wasn't until after about a year of undergoing chemotherapy that I learned what the parameters for a Wish actually were. That any child under the age of 18 with a life threatening, not necessarily terminal, illness could qualify for a wish. So the next time I was handed the application by the nurses, I snatched it up QUICK.

The first thing I could think of was a family cruise to the Caribbean. I'd never been on a cruise before and the idea of it seemed like paradise. However, after submitting the application my high school started posting flyers around the halls for a travel abroad trip to Italy and Switzerland to take place in after my Junior Year through the touring company EF Tours. As some of my friends started to sign up I wondered, "could I do this too?"

So, with fingers crossed, I reached back out to Make-A-Wish and explained the opportunity and asked if I could switch my Wish. After writing the requested essay on why I wanted to swap wishes I waited (pretty impatiently if we are being honest) for a response. I had already made contact with my Wish Granters by the time I asked for this new wish, so it wasn't a surprise when they scheduled a visit with me some time after. But this visit was extra special.

They handed me a gift bag, and inside was a journal. On the cover of that journal was an image of the Colosseum in Rome, but it wasn't until they both said the words "Your wish has been granted!" that I actually understood what this visit was really about.

I was going to go on a trip to Italy and Switzerland with some of my closest friends! The trip was not going to be for another year and a half but I immediately started counting down the days.

In this year and a half that I waited to leave for the trip I finished my 2.5 years treatment and rang the bell at Children's Hospital. My hair was finally starting to look like it used to and I was starting to feel more and more like myself.

I am especially grateful to Make-A-Wish that I was able to go on this trip after finishing treatment. When I was in Italy and Switzerland I wasn't having to worry about what my ANC was or whether I had to be extra careful not to accidentally scratch or cut myself in case my platelet count was low. On that trip, I was not "the kid with cancer" or "the girl with no hair." I was just a 17 year old girl, living out the experience of a lifetime with some of her best friends.

And that - that was the true gift.

So I ask you to consider giving to this amazing organization to give other kids the same kinds of opportunities. Your gift of:

$5 could pay a Wish Kid to get some gelato in Assisi

$10 could pay for a tram ticket to the top of Mount Pilatus in Lucerne Switzerland

$25 could pay for a Wish Kid to climb to the top of the Duomo in Florence

$50 could pay for a Wish Kid to attend glass blowing or leather working demonstrations in Venice

$75 could pay for a guided tour of the Colosseum in Rome

$100 could help a Wish Kid buy their family souvenirs

$200 could pay for a night of lodging in Zurich Switzerland

Every gift, no matter how small, grants a Wish Kid a new experience that they may not have had the opportunity to be exposed to before. Thank you, for giving kids going through hell something to look forward to.

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Additionally, a few Women of Wish are collaborating to host Champions For Wishes, which is happening July 25th at the Sunset Event Space in Sunset Hills. It’s a unique event that will bring local community legends together with amazing wish kids to benefit Make-A-Wish kids in Missouri & Kansas!  

Celebrities include Laila Anderson along with some of her favorite St. Louis Blues alumni, Reed Low, Cam Janssen, and Jamal Mayers! During the event, guests will get to mingle with celebrities, hear the impactful stories of our wish kids, play casino games with those legends, all while helping to raise necessary funds for Make-A-Wish.

I would love for you to join us by purchasing a table, sponsoring, or snagging a couple of tickets. Visit

Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas - Champions for Wishes (bidpal.net)

to join us!