Wishes Granted
SOPHIE’S WISH
Sophie, age 2-1/2
Wish: to have a country music song written just for her!
When wish parents Jason and Carolyn were referred to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, they were hesitant to accept a wish.
Their daughter Sophie, nearly three, had a rare life-threatening condition that limited her mobility and left her unable to talk.
Jason and Carolyn struggled to describe a wish that Sophie would enjoy.
They did know that Sophie seemed most at peace when listening to music, especially country music. They spent many hours with Sophie
listening together. As they thought more about it, for Sophie to have a special song written just for her would be the perfect wish:
Sophie could enjoy it with them, and it would remind them of Sophie forever. A special song also might inspire others to treasure their
children as well.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation called Grammy-winning recording artist and writer Steve Vaus, who graciously offered to write and record a
song for Sophie. After a long conversation with Sophie’s parents, Steve dedicated the next several days to writing Sophie’s song,
“Surrounded by Angels.”
Sadly, Sophie passed away the day her song was recorded. On that day, Steve and his daughter Anna visited
Carolyn and Jason. They sang “Surrounded by Angels” to them and presented them with a recording. Sophie’s wish provided comfort and
strength in the face of tremendous grief.
That night, NBC San Diego aired this powerful story about Sophie’s wish, click
here to watch it.
Listen to the full song, “Surrounded by Angels” here
BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU!
Because of people like you, great things happen! Your support of Tuna Challenge for Make-A-Wish helps youngsters faced
with life threatening conditions realize their hopes and dreams.
Read on to find out how two very special San Diego young people were recently helped by your generous support.
High school student and football player, Darren, “gave up” his wish for Charger’s season tickets after his
football team and its coaches shaved their heads in support during his chemotherapy treatments. He
opted to change his wish to one that would help others, namely every player on his school’s
football squads. At a school rally, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego presented new uniforms supplied by Nike for all three football
squads, replacing their 20 year old uniforms! But that wasn’t the end of Darren’s wish. The Chargers’ cheerleaders, present at the rally, invited
Darren to be their equipment manager, thus allowing him to be on the field during every game!
Eighteen-year-old Lexie, a talented softball player, was sidelined in the middle of
her JV season when she was diagnosed with bone cancer in her leg and has been in a continuous battle ever since. She has dealt with multiple
surgeries, rounds of chemo, and radiation. In addition, she has lost close friends to cancer, even reading a friend’s “cancer thoughts” aloud
at a Relay for Life event last spring when he was unable to read them himself.
When given a chance to make a wish come true for herself, Lexie chose to use her wish to help others. Her wish
day took place September 10th, when she traveled with her family in a limo to Los Angeles
for the Stand Up 2 Cancer Telethon. She walked the red carpet, mingled with celebrities, and worked alongside many of them in the phone bank during
the telethon! So far more than $80 million has been pledged from the second “Stand Up 2 Cancer” event held in
Los Angeles!
These kids inspire us, as do their stories! They are living testimony to the kind of “ripple effect” making wishes
come true for others has on all of us.
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against
injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.”
-- Robert F. Kennedy
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. It
is the largest wish granting organization in the world, with 64 chapters in the United States and its territories, with over 220,000 wishes granted to date.
All
proceeds from the Tuna Challenge go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego, which serves children in San Diego and Imperial Counties and grants over 185 wishes
each year.
Important 2012 Dates
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!
Check back later for the 2012 registration!
“I wish to go to Disney World…”
Anita's Wish
6-year-old Anita is a special little girl who loves everything Disney. When given the opportunity to have a wish granted by Make-A-Wish,
it came as no surprise that she chose to visit Disney World. Diagnosed with leukemia, Anita has experienced many hardships in her six years of life,
but she is a fighter and doesn’t allow her illness to bring her down. With a love for pasta, bowling, and of course, Disney, Anita lives life to the
fullest, and couldn’t wait for her magical wish to come true.
On July 20th, Anita’s trip of a lifetime began with a limousine ride to the airport, just the beginning of the VIP treatment that she would
experience. When Anita arrived in Florida, she and her family got settled in to Give Kids the World Village, where they would be staying for the length of their
trip. It was here where Anita got to eat breakfast with some of her favorite Disney characters, the perfect beginning to any Disney day.
Not only did Anita get her Disney World experience, but she was also treated to tickets to Universal Studios and Sea World Orlando. Her trip was
full of surprises and magical moments that she and her family will never forget. At the end of her adventure, Anita returned home with a smile, along with many, many
memories of her wish that came true!
"I wish to go to Disney World…"
Alan's Wish
10-year old Alan courageously faces challenges that are daunting for any adult, much less a young boy, as he has been battling
Leukemia for most of his childhood. However, with a brave and inspiring determination, Alan has continued to show strength and courage throughout
his ongoing treatment. So, when presented with the opportunity of a lifetime, Alan told his wish granters at the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of
San Diego that he would love to go to Disney World…a place where “dreams come true” and we are so excited to do just that.
On December 4th, 2011, Alan’s treatment for Leukemia will be over, and three days later his wish will begin! Celebrating such a huge
accomplishment, Alan's adventure will begin with a limousine ride to the airport, where Alan and his family will board a flight destined to
Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Alan looks forward to this magical day and is most excited to meet his favorite Disney characters – Mickey,
Minnie, Woody and Buzz Lightyear!
“I wish to meet Paul McCartney…”
Blade's Wish
16-year old Blade is a typical teenager who enjoys listening to classic rock and his favorite bands are the Beatles and AeroSmith. He also plays
numerous instruments including being the lead guitarist in a band called Von Swayzi, along with his father and brother, Dylan. However, what sets Blade apart
from other musicians and boys his age is that he has been battling Lymphoma.
In one of the most unique wishes ever, Blade, his father, and brother Dylan were picked up by limousine like true rockstars and made the trek up
to Los Angeles for a once in a lifetime experience. Once there, Blade was surprised with a behind the scenes tour of Universal Studios, one of the largest film
and television studios in the world. While Blade had a great time, his true wish awaited him the next day when he got to meet the one and only Paul McCartney!
Blade’s story is not only one of great strength but a perfect example of, “Good things come to those who wait.” Due to Paul McCartney’s busy
schedule, it is hard for him to grant many wishes, but Blade never lost hope. He decided to write a personal and very inspiring letter to Mr. McCartney, sharing
how much his music means to him and how it has helped him find serenity in his battle against Lymphoma. Blade’s letter was so heartfelt and special, Paul McCartney
didn’t want to miss an opportunity to meet this outstanding young man.
Volunteers Needed
Every year Tuna Challenge is made possible with the support of generous
volunteers, from the awards banquet and fileting fish to collecting donations
and much, much more. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer then please
contact Brad Brown.
