I wish to go to Walt Disney World Resort

Edward

13

cancer

Wish Alumni Edward and his family on the Seuss Train ride

Wish Alumni Then & Now Feature - Edward

Edward enjoying a Mickey ice cream bar on his wish trip

Edward enjoying a classic Mickey ice cream bar on his wish trip

We are grateful to share this special wish experience through the eyes of one of our Wish Moms! Edward’s mom, Sarah, shares Edward’s wish journey below in such an impactful way that you don’t want to miss.

Edward was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 12. He thought he had pulled a muscle during dance class. When he finally showed me the issue, I found a lump the size of a baseball. He didn’t have any symptoms. He was a healthy kid dancing eight hours a week and going to school. You never would have looked at him and thought he had cancer. The oncologist told my son that he did have cancer, and his next statement was that he would get a wish from Make-A-Wish. We used this as motivation for his treatments. We thought everything was going fine, but then we got a call telling us his cancer was back. Ironically, the next phone call was actually Make-A-Wish saying Edward’s wish trip had been approved. Unfortunately, we had to delay the trip so we could start more chemo. His cancer was so stubborn. We had to keep trying different chemo options. Each time we tried another chemo, it was a step closer to his wish. He also needed a stem cell transplant and proton beam radiation in Florida. Though the journey was rough, we knew each treatment was another step closer to brighter days. Edward reached remission, but he needed to get stronger to be able to handle his wish trip. He went to so much physical therapy and needed braces for his legs. He did everything with a smile since he knew his wish was waiting for him. When we finally got to go ride all the roller coasters in Florida, it was amazing. To see him happy, stress free, smiling, laughing. I don’t think we will ever be as happy as we were on his wish trip. It gave him hope and motivation to do awful things. We are so thankful to Make-A-Wish for giving him what he needed to pull him through the darkness.

Edward during his treatment
Edward at Hogsmeade Harry Potter at Universal Studios

Edward during treatment; Edward today.

Now, Edward is a senior in high school and four years in remission. He loves Halloween and always wanted a haunted house. We actually started one while he was in treatment to help cheer him up! We are on the 6th year of hosting a haunted house. We actually have added a Christmas Candyland display over the last few years as well. We raise money between Give Kids the World and Make-A-Wish each year. Edward was able to intern at Give Kids the World this summer helping with a fundraiser. He has plans to attend college next year for communications!