The Gala has been blessed to sponsor the wishes of a local child over the years through the generosity of our sponsors and attendees. The stories of these three inspirational people and families are below.
Kevin
Meet Kevin, a fun-loving teenage boy who loves to play video games. Some of his favorite things to do are hanging out with his family & friends, eating hibachi, playing lacrosse, and listening to hip-hop music.
Though Kevin is like most 15 year-olds, he is also unique in that he is battling a form of blood cancer called leukemia. His condition requires him to spend a majority of his time in the hospital undergoing treatment prevents him from doing a lot of things he loves.
After qualifying for a wish, when Wish-Granting Volunteers asked Kevin what his most heartfelt wish was, it was no surprise that it revolved around traveling with his family to paradise! Kevin wished to visit Hawaii, a place he had never been so he could have the opportunity to relax and explore the islands. While on his wish, some of the things Kevin hopes to see are the crystal clear waters, active volcanoes, Pearl Harbor, and the local wildlife.
Melanie
Meet Melanie, an enthusiastic and adventurous teenager. She loves Chipotle, watching movies, and running. Sadly, she has a constant struggle against Tectal Plate Glioma.
Melanie, who lives in West Chester, OH, wished to run a half marathon with her family at Disney Land. Melanie enjoys running to get away from everything and just be in the moment. Her brother is currently stationed in California, so her wish was a perfect combination that allowed her to spend quality time with her family and to run in one of the most magical environments in the world.
We were able to grant Melanie’s wish and send her to Disney Land in May 2015. Thank you for helping us grant her wish, and more importantly, help her find hope, strength and joy in the fight against Tectal Plate Glioma. This miraculous getaway brought an immeasurable amount of joy for her family and herself.
Isabela
Meet Isabella. It’s hard to tell that behind her gorgeous smile, Isabella is suffering from a life threatening condition that affects her kidneys.
Isabella lives in Goshen, OH. Her love for Disney princesses, especially Belle, is what drew her to her wish of visiting the princesses and playing dress up with them at Disney World.
We were able to grant Isabella’s wish in June 2014. For Isabella and her family, this trip and the wish process brought joy to their lives when they needed and deserved it the most. Thank you to everyone who attended the Gala and contributed to granting Isabella’s wish!
"Just Wish for It" Gala 