LIFE-CHANGING WISHES

Enjoy a glimpse of recent wishes granted thanks to your generous support!

Kameryn-Rylee’s Wish to go to Walt Disney World®

Kameryn-Rylee is a sweet 9-year-old Maui girl who enjoys singing and playing piano. In March 2020, everything changed for this little girl when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her treatment in California separated the tight-knit family for several months, which was heartbreaking for everyone.

Kameryn-Rylee knew without hesitation what her most heartfelt wish was: to go to Walt Disney World® to meet princesses! As she endured multiple surgeries, months of radiation, countless doctor visits, and medication changes, she found strength in looking forward to the day her wish would be granted. When it was safe to do so, Kameryn-Rylee’s wish granters surprised her with a movie night picnic to reveal that her wish was coming true. Overwhelmed with emotion, she began to cry, repeatedly saying, “I can’t believe they did this all for me.” Her parents’ hearts were full as they finally saw the joy on their little girl’s face.

Mahalo to ELC Foundation for adopting Kameryn-Rylee’s wish!

Iris’ Wish to Have a ‘Frozen’ Birthday Party

I wish to have a Frozen-themed 4th birthday party

Iris, 4, Honolulu brain cancer Watch

Four-year-old Iris of Honolulu was diagnosed with brain cancer at 2 ½ years old. Because of the pandemic and being in the hospital, she had never experienced a birthday party before.

This shy sweet girl adores all princesses, especially Elsa from the Disney movie “Frozen.” So it was no surprise when she wished for a Frozen-themed 4th birthday celebration! Part of her wish goal was to thank her doctors and nurses who cared for her when she was sick. The magical wish day at Kids City Hawaii brought together friends and family from Japan and her care team from Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children. She was thrilled to see her main oncologist and several nurses who attended the festivities.

Mahalo to D.R. Horton

Hawaii who helped make Iris’ wish come true!

Pono’s Wish to go to New York City

One word that comes to mind when thinking of 18-year-old Pono of Kaneohe: cool. Pono loves fashion, music, and travel vlogs. He cares deeply for his family and has a very strong friend group, which has been an integral part of his support system while he battles leukemia. When asked what his wish would be, Pono knew immediately it would involve the three things that got him through his toughest times: his family, friends, and music.

Chemo has been especially tough on Pono, but he credits his support system and his love of music for getting him through rough days when he was too exhausted and sick to leave his bed. Pono’s eyes lit up especially bright when he talked about his favorite artist, Sza. So, it came as no surprise when he decided on his most heartfelt wish: to go to New York City to see Sza at Madison Square Garden! In between his treatment rounds, Pono had the opportunity to visit NYC where he shopped, took in a Broadway show, and visited the Statue of Liberty—all with his parents and his best friend.

One of the most exciting moments was when Sza sent a personal video message to Pono! He also received a custom jersey with “PONO” on the back. The healing power of music and wishes came together in beautiful harmony for Pono in the Big Apple and provided that extra needed boost to continue his fight.

I wish to go to New York City to see Sza in concert Pono, 18, Kaneohe leukemia

Boogie’s Wish to Have a Shopping Spree to Buy a PlayStation®5

Lincoln is affectionately known by family and friends as “Boogie” due to his dance moves. This 10-year-old boy is also adventurous and loves the outdoors, so it was especially hard for him to be stuck inside when he began treatment for cancer. However, he adapts to challenges with a positive attitude and found a safe and fun way to combine spending time with family and friends with an adrenaline-filled activity: playing Call of Duty and Fortnite.

Boogie wished to have a shopping spree so he could buy a PS5 to play video games. He also had his heart set on cool clothes, new shoes, a red Nike hoodie for when he gets cold in the hospital, and lots of Spider-Man gear. Boogie is from Waikoloa but has been receiving cancer treatment on Oahu. He missed his extended family, especially his grandmother. When his wish came true and he showed up to Ala Moana Center in a limousine, he was met with a surprise greeting of family from Hawaii Island. He couldn’t get out of the limo fast enough to give his grandmother a big hug!

VP

When Make-A-Wish Hawaii Board Chair Erik DeRyke reflects on his time spent as a member of the board of directors, his thoughts not only turn to all the wish kids that he’s met over his six-year tenure, but all the wish parents who are deeply ingrained, as well. As a parent of two, he empathizes with what the entire family faces when a child is diagnosed with a critical illness.

He describes an interaction at a local hospital and how the child’s face lit up while opening gifts. And he stresses how incredible it is working with wish kids.

“But I’m always so moved by watching the parents, too. I looked at mom and dad and they were so exhausted. Dad looked like he was barely holding it together. When we laid out what was planned for the wish you could see him relax. I came away just so moved by the strength this family must show every day—24/7. And just for a while we can say, ‘maybe we can help’.” And the power of a wish is proven to help.

As Erik’s two terms on the board draw to a close, he plans to remain involved, adding, Make-A-Wish Hawaii is, “...always evolving and doing better!”

He feels rewarded in having moved the needle, saying, “Every year we’ve improved the experience for wish kids and their families. That means a great deal.”

Thank you for your time, leadership and care, Erik!

Malia Zannoni Marketing & Sponsorship Director, International Market Place

The energy, spirit and passion for Make-AWish Hawaii’s mission is evident in Malia Zannoni’s volunteerism on the Young Leaders Board as an Executive Committee member. She gives so willingly of her time and talent and consistently goes above and beyond to support our wish families with precision and grace.

During the pandemic, Make-A-Wish Hawaii launched a new Leadership Challenge to support Jingle Rock Run, our annual holiday fundraiser. Malia’s leadership skills shined as co-captain of a fundraising team, helping to raise crucial funds, engage sponsors, and secure new supporters, equating to more wishes fulfilled for keiki with critical illnesses. And when the event returned to an in-person event last year, Malia was there early to help make the keiki sprint for 6- to 10-year-olds a safe and fun experience. With over 1,500 people joining us on race day, thanks to her leadership and support, the event raised more than $250,000!

Malia’s amazing interpersonal and relationship-building skills have made her an exceptional representative for Make-A-Wish Hawaii, not only to young professionals, but she has also been greatly helpful in connecting us to new partners, vendors, and the community.

Wishes Guiding Young Leaders

Each fall, high school students filled with ambition, excitement and passion for service join a bold and compassionate group that works to make a positive impact on the lives of children with critical illnesses. Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s Youth Leadership Council (YLC) offers students the opportunity to develop skills through experiential learning as real-world philanthropic problem-solvers in a truly interactive experience.

Over the course of the program, that meets monthly during the school year, students work together both in a team and as individuals to reach fundraising goals. This includes creating their own fundraiser, soliciting sponsorships and obtaining in-kind support. Roles such as challenge chairperson, secretary and event planner are offered. Fun incentives are also built into the program to celebrate individual and team achievements.

Research shows that wishes result in renewed strength and hope for children and their families while bringing communities together to help children with critical illnesses. In the fall of 2020, we launched YLC providing a chance for young people to give back to the community by granting wishes.

Monthly meetings include a section called “Wishing for Success,” where community leaders are invited to share experiences and milestones in their career paths. The hope is to introduce future leaders to a wide array of opportunities, support and new learning.

The goal for the next cohort is to grant at least one wish together as a group, developing important life skills, learning about philanthropy, and building stronger relationships along the way.

We are taking applications from interested high school students for fall 2023. Please contact James Donnelly at 808-349-9436 or jdonnelly@hawaii.wish.org to learn more and apply by August 31.