I have been involved with Make-A-Wish Colorado since 2017.

My family’s personal experience with the power of a wish drives my passion
to help grant wishes for more STRENGTH & JOY - for the REAL heroes: children battling life-changing illnesses.

My nephew Dylan wanted his bedroom to mirror living like a Navy Seal - to grant him extra strength to fight the battle of his life: leukemia. Through the Missouri chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, this wish became a reality. He even slept on a cot versus his bed. Dylan’s dedicated father (my brother, Tom) like many parents of kids with life-changing illnesses, faced the stress of making critical medical decisions about painful lifesaving treatments -brain radiation & chemotherapy. 

Tom documented their journey every single week for 3 years via Dylan’s caring-bridge site. Update: Dylan is a healthy/thriving 24-year-old now! From the moment Dylan was diagnosed at the ER on Christmas Eve 2008, every day feels daunting. My family drove from Colorado straight to my brother & family at the hospital in Missouri on Christmas Day 2008. All the men in the family shaved their heads for a St. Baldrick's fundraiser.

My mother knew exactly what was at stake as a breast cancer survivor herself-is now in her 70s, still in remission, thanks to similar support. While it was hard to watch this struggle, it brought us all together, forming a perspective on priorities - the importance of a strong family, joyful friends, & community support.  

We all know someone who has been impacted by a life-changing illness. I've seen firsthand how vital this “Wish Hero” Campaign is in addressing the ever-growing pipeline of wishes. 

Families navigate unthinkable challenges & courageous parents deserve to see their kid’s eyes light up with a wish granted during this extremely stressful time.

In Colorado, I helped launch the ‘Walk for Wishes’ and a ‘Wish Week’ - to grant wishes at my son's high school.  

As Yoda says: “Do or do not. There is no try.”