I wish to go to New York Fashion Week
Molly, wish granted 1999
cancer
Molly's Alumni Story
“Everyone’s experience is so personal. It’s cool how memorable and unique the wish can be, like the light at the end of the tunnel.”
In 1999, 17-year-old Molly wished to go to New York Fashion Week. Before wide internet sharing and social media, Molly never missed the latest magazines featuring new designers and collections. Diagnosed with cancer in the height of her high school years, the difficulties were both physical and emotional as she struggled to cope with her diagnosis and all the changes it brought to her life.
Molly in 1999 modeling some of the designer clothes she saw during her Fashion Week wish.
Make-A-Wish offered her an opportunity to look to the future. Knowing she would see a real fashion show in person boosted her energy and gave her something to look forward to as she completed her treatment.
“As soon as you say Make-A-Wish, every door flies open, and they treat you like a celebrity,” Molly recalled.
Greeted in New York with a full itinerary of three fashion shows with VIP backstage access, a Broadway show, and a makeover with a personal shopper, Molly’s exciting experience with Make-A-Wish has had a lasting impact. The wish continues to inspire Molly and her entire family more than 25 years after her wish. Their long-time support has helped hundreds more wish families experience the healing power of a wish.
In looking back, Molly explained that everything happened so fast when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and its subsequent treatment. It was a really overwhelming experience for her and her family, but then one day it all ended.
“We used my wish as a reward at the end. We started with this bad bang of a thing that happened, but we ended with a cool bang with my wish. It was the other bookend of the being sick part,” Molly shared.
Molly also recalled her days as a camper and then camp counselor for children undergoing cancer treatment. She said the campers would exchange stories of the treatment they had faced or were facing, and they all talked about their wishes.
“It was something for one kid to look forward to, or for another kid to talk about. It’s a weird thing, that you can take an experience that’s so terrible and make it not so bad, when you know that other people are going through the same thing,” Molly said.
Still a fashion trendsetter, Molly graduated from DePaul University and continues to find her creative fulfillment in her own fashion as well as collaborations with others. She also works in sales for Gonnella, the iconic bread company. Molly, her husband and their twin sons reside in Chicago.
In addition to sharing her story at Make-A-Wish events, Molly (red dress) and her extended family regularly support the organization through the annual gala and other fundraisers to support future wishes.