Then, in April of last year, she got a fever that wouldn’t go away. Her mother, Laura, took Cassie to the emergency room and the ER doctor suggested a trip to the family doctor for some tests. Laura thought it was the flu. Who needs tests for that? So they put the appointment off.

But Cassie’s swollen lymph nodes kept growing and soon they began to dig into her wind pipe. So, Laura made an appointment for a CT scan. A CT scan is a series of X-rays taken at different angles which can create a whole picture of a body’s interior. Cassie’s doctor assumed that a scan of her head and neck would be enough, but then, just before the appointment, Cassie had an accident on her three wheeler, and her doctor ordered an entire upper body scan.

The scan revealed lymphoma, and not just in her lymph nodes, but inside her lungs, too. All at once her life had a clear purpose, and that was survival. It meant giving up a lot of what she loved. Weakened by chemotherapy, the girl who loved the outdoors found herself stuck indoors.

“Basically you had to stay in all day and you couldn’t do anything except watch television or play videogames or do homework,” Cassie said. “And I liked going outside and doing stuff.”

Meanwhile, Laura was thinking about the future, about Cassie’s recovery. For years, Laura had been donating money to the Kids Wish Network, a national charity that offers to fulfill the wishes of children with life threatening illnesses.

“I’d heard about the Kids Wish Network when my friend’s kid had cystic fibrosis,” Laura said. “Her husband was in contact with them and so I began donating.”

She never figured she’d be on the receiving end, but in April, when Cassie was diagnosed, she asked her daughter what she would wish for. Cassie wanted a new camera. She already had plans for after her recovery.
Throughout most of last year, Cassie made regular trips to St. Jude’s pediatric cancer hospital in Memphis. Cassie had never liked going to the doctor, but then during those hours she spent in St. Jude’s, something funny happened.

“The doctors there, they keep you laughing all the time and they keep explaining what they’re doing,” she said. “And no matter what, they remember your name. Sometimes they’ll call you just to ask how you’re doing.”

Her mother said that once, when Cassie was on the mend, a doctor called their house between regularly scheduled visits. “He said, ‘I just had to call because I haven’t seen Cassie in a couple of days,’” Laura said. “It was the most awesome thing I’ve ever seen.”

Cassie, who is home schooled, did not miss any of her classes, and she said her cancer treatment was an education of its own.

“I feel like I’ve learned more stuff over the past year, basically,” she said. “You learn stuff at St. Jude’s.”

By September her cancer was in remission. Her trips to St. Jude’s grew less frequent and she began to get healthier, stronger. She began to go outside again, and she managed to get a full season of hunting in last year, although even now she still avoids a crowd at Walmart.

Then, the week of Christmas, she got a box from Kids Wish Network. Inside she found games, a hat, a scarf and a brand new Olympus E-PL3, a 12 megapixel digital camera known for its fast autofocus and shutter speed and for its interchangeable lenses.

“My old camera didn’t take the same pictures that you’d see,” Cassie said. “The Olympus gives you a clear picture and with the zoon lens, you can get closer than with the Vivitar.”

In the month she’s had the new camera, she’s already been out along the levee taking photos of cows, pigs and the Mississippi outdoors. She hasn’t had a chance to take her new camera to her parent’s hunting camp, but she’d like to.

And, weeks away from her 18th birthday, as she wraps up high school, she’s giving college a thought.
“If I do go to college, I’d like to become a child life specialist at St. Jude’s,” Cassie said. “They work with the patients and bring toys and crafts to the kids.”

Laura said that many of the doctors, nurses, child life specialists and even janitors at the hospital had first come as children.

“So many of them had been patients there, but then they’d come back,” Laura said. “It’s just that great.”

The Clarksdale Press Register
Clarksdale, Mississippi

Kyle, a 14-year-old freshman at Mount Anthony Union High School, has a rare condition called congenital adrenal hyperplasia that keeps his body from regulating the amount of androgen it produces. In addition, Kyle is diagnosed with autism, anxiety, insulin resistance, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and sleep disturbances. He has also needed corrective surgery on his legs and feet to lengthen his Achilles’ tendons, leaving him with limited mobility.

Through an opportunity presented by Kids Wish Network, Kyle and his family were able to forget about doctor’s office visits the second they stepped foot on the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, where his uncle, Staff Sgt. James Brumbaugh, is stationed.

Upon arrival, Kyle received a flight suit and a 355th Training Squadron patch with his name on it before being asked to recite the Oath of Office.

He was then given a full day of activities — starting with a morning meeting for Air Force pilots (he and his family were told they were not allowed to attend a second meeting members of the Air Force then attended).

“I wasn’t allowed to go in their other meeting because it was classified,” said the 14-year-old from Pownal.

Kyle had the opportunity to sit inside the cockpit of an A-10 and then equip one with a mock missile made of concrete and metal. Those experiences were great he said, although they paled in comparison to his favorite part of the trip, when he got to fly an A-10 training simulator. Comfortable inside the cockpit of the simulator, Kyle took the $1 million piece of machinery on a “support mission” over Tucson during which he engaged in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat on a screen in front of him.

“I got to take out tanks, but the thing that finally got me was a SAM missile launcher, a surface-to-air missile launcher,” he said. “I was able to land. I was thinking I could still fly, I’ve heard stories of these things flying with only one engine. They told me to land, I didn’t want to. I wanted to get that thing so bad,” he said, replaying the scenario over in his head as he sat at his grandmother’s kitchen table with a face full of excitement.

The simulator used to train pilots was unlike anything Kyle had ever experienced.

“It’s nothing like a video game,” Kyle said. “It’s so much more accurate. There’s more detail.”

Kyle also received a personal tour of the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center, often referred to as the “Boneyard,” where more than 4,000 aircraft from all branches of the U.S. military are kept.

On the tour, Kyle saw servicemen working on the wings of a Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II.

“I think the interesting thing about this plane is it was the last plane Fairchild Republic made and they were known for making the P-47 Thunderbolt. They call this one the Thunderbolt II, or the warthog is it’s nickname,” Kyle said as he pointed to a picture of the plane signed by members of the Air Force who he met.

As a tour guide walked them through the Boneyard, Kyle’s grandmother, Mary Dupuis, said Kyle rattled off the names of the planes and details about the history of the aircraft that even the guide didn’t know.

Kyle, who is an honor student, said he’s always enjoyed reading books and articles online about the military and wars.

Although his autism and plates in his feet may prevent it, Kyle said he still dreams of joining the military.

“I don’t know if that will happen, but I have just wanted to for a long time,” he said.

If that opportunity is not in his future, Kyle will still be able to say he’s been a pilot for a day — which is a day more than most.

“It was just so fun when I was there,” Kyle said.

Kids Wish Network, which ponsored the trip, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.

Bennington Banner
Bennington, Vermont
Source:
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/ci_19787258

Naomi was two when she experienced cold-like symptoms that wouldn’t go away. Her pediatrician discovered that Naomi suffered from acute lymphocyctic leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells.

Frequent blood transfusions followed and during that time, when Naomi began a strict regimen of medications, her twin sister Sophie comforted her the most.

Glendale News-Press
Glendale, California
Source:
http://articles.glendalenewspress.com/2012-01-03/entertainment/tn-gnp-0104-ill-child-takes-a-dream-vacation_1_dream-vacation-leukemia-glendale-child

Born eight weeks early, Chloe had difficulty walking and was unable to transfer off of the floor. She has had Botox injections, surgery on both of her legs, and she has had to wear leg braces.

Chloe has made amazing progress over the years. She is now able to walk, run and hop on her own. She is doing so well that she has progressed to custom fitted shoe inserts, instead of the leg braces.

She no longer requires Physical Therapy sessions on a weekly basis, but continues attending the Fitness Program at Heinz Rehab.

Chloe is extremely motivated, has a very positive attitude, and has wonderful family support. She has worked so hard and is seeing great benefits and progress from her “never-give-up spirit.” Chloe was chosen for the Hero of the Month honor because she is a tremendous role model to the other children that receive services at Heinz Rehab
The Abington Journal
Clarks Summitt, Pennsylvania
Source:
http://www.timesleader.com/AbingtonJournal/news/Chloe-Bonario-chosen-as-Heinz-Rehab-Hero-of-the-Month-.html#ixzz1h5cc45Rs

Santa arrived at Moffett Field on bright green and red Christmas float to greet hundreds of children who waited patiently in line to see him. His jolly humor accompanied him as he sat in his chair while listening to children’s holiday wishes.

Kids Wish Network, a national charity that serves children, donated over 9,000 toys after hearing of the Bay Area military community’s need for toys. On Dec. 11, Operation Toy Drop came to Moffett Field with toys, clothes, books and a little holiday cheer.

Inside NASA’s Building 152, stacks of boxes, some taller than the children, lined every wall. Each tower was labeled according to gender and age to make it easier for children to choose their gifts. In classic military fashion, Operation Toy Drop had been planned months in advance and unfolded very smoothly.

Parents helped their children dig through piles of jeans, skirts, books, Barbie dolls and more to find their favorite gift.

“Military children don’t choose to have a parent deploy or move every three years,” said Stacy Castellanos, the 351st Civil Affairs Command’s family readiness support assistant. “They receive no recognition for their resiliency.”

Barbara Askin, the director of Kids Wish Network, said that she came up with the idea to donate toys so that military kids would not feel left out this Christmas.

“We want to show the military families that we’re grateful for what they’re doing,” said Askin.

Kevin Castellanos, 13, and Nathan Villapando, 11, are two kids who live at Moffett Field with their military families. Like other kids, they go to Crittenden Middle School and play video games. They met in 2010 and have been best friends since.

But unlike civilian children, Kevin and Nathan will be staying on base this year to celebrate Christmas with their family and many others at Moffett.

Through the years, Kevin and Nathan have seen their friends come and go. This experience of moving from place to place every one to three years has made them remarkably mature for their preteen years.

“The hardest part about coming from a military family is you can’t keep friends forever,” said Nathan. “But if you have bad history in one place, you get a new start.”

Jabria Jefferson, 14, also lives on Moffett Field. She said that coming from a military family has taught her to take on more responsibility. “You mature quickly when you live through a world war,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Kevin and Nathan plan to follow their family’s footsteps when they grow up. “I’m going to join the Army like my dad,” said Kevin.

Nathan said his plan is to “design and build military infantry technology.”

Over 100 volunteers gathered to help distribute toys to the children. Operation Care and Comfort played a large role in organizing the event. Julie DeMaria, the director of Operation Care and Comfort, said that the goal of Operation Toy Drop is to bring people together.

“Some are getting ready to leave for deployment. For others, it’s the first time they’re together. It’s overwhelming to see the families,” said DeMaria.

“These people get forgotten,” says Karen Pelle, the CEO of Mega Trux, a national shipping company, and a board member of Kids Wish Network. “We organized this event so that kids could go away with a surprise. It’s a great family affair.”

Pelle’s company provides free shipping for the donated gifts. Her trucks picked up toys, clothing and books from the vendors and delivered them on 28 pallets to Moffett Field. “I’m the trucker!” she chuckles.

Operation Toy Drop began in Fort Bragg, N.C. in 1998. Soldiers donate a toy for children in the community in exchange for the opportunity to perform a parachute jump under a foreign nation’s jumpmaster.

Operation Toy Drop came to the Bay Area for the first time this year so that families from both the East and West coast could participate.

“The biggest reward is to see a smile on the child’s face. It is the easiest way to show them we care and that they’re not alone,” said Askin.

Mountain View Voice
Mountain View, California
Source:
http://mv-voice.com/news/show_story.php?id=5065

However, those families took a rare step out of the shadows Saturday. And boy, were they surprised by all the attention.

“In all my years in the Army, I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Scott Laczynski, commander of the Fremont recruitment center.

His children were among those showered with digital Disney books, Barbies and action figures at Operation Toy Drop, one of two holiday toy drives held at Moffett Field. The other event was the annual Cops Care Foundation Christmas Fantasy Flight for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, where the highlight is the arrival of Santa in a helicopter.

Operation Toy Drive started 14 years ago at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, and Saturday was the first time it was held in the Bay Area — with a twist.

In North Carolina, paratroopers donate gifts to the community. At Moffett Field, anyone affiliated with the military was invited to pick up presents and sit on Santa’s lap. They included members of the active forces, National Guard and reservists.

“In this time of economic distress, families all over the country have been hit hard and are stretched to their limits. This is especially true for the families of servicemen and women in the Bay Area,” said Lt. Ray Ragan, an Army spokesman. “When the national children’s charity Kids Wish Network heard of the overwhelming need, they had to help.”

The nonprofit, based — where else? — in Holiday, Fla., collected $500,000 worth of gifts from toy companies and other benefactors, co-founder Barbara Askin said. The gifts were trucked in for free by Megatrux, a Rancho Cucamonga company that ships the Kids Wish Network donations to hospitals and other sites around the country all year for no charge.

“This is an exciting new program for us,” Megatrux owner Karen Pelle said. “We want to reach out to the men and women who serve our country so selflessly.”

A study released in October by the Pew Research Center is the latest to document the growing gap between military personnel and the general public. Only about one-half of 1 percent of the U.S. population has been on active military duty at any given time during the past decade of sustained warfare, the study noted.

More than 80 percent of post-9/11 veterans surveyed in the study said the public does not understand the problems faced by those in the military or their families.

Military families often make sacrifices, even if no one in the family is deployed to a war zone.

Staff Sgt. Lester Lardizabal with the Air National Guard said he saw his wife and family in San Jose only about two weekends a month while he was stationed at Camp Pendleton — for eight years.

“I think most families don’t know what military families go through,” said Lardizabal, who brought his wife, Claire; son, Jurrel, and daughter, Charlise, to the toy drive. “We were really surprised they had this. It’s pretty awesome.”

For 7-year-old Gabriel Johnson, the toy drive made it seem like he was celebrating three Christmases.

There’s Christmas Eve, when his mom gives him and his four brothers and sister new pajamas, which they all wear until Christmas dinner. There’s Christmas morning. And then there was Saturday, when he got an armful of gifts, including a toy dragon.

“I was smiling big and wide,” he said.

His mother, Jennifer Johnson, is an aviation resources manager who lives at Moffett Field. She said the toy drive helps make Christmas more bountiful for her five kids. She even received a three-tier bookshelf she’d been eying at Target.

“It’s the best event,” Johnson said. “We’re blown away by the generosity of people.”

Mercury News
San Jose, California
Source:
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_19521211?source=rss

When the event opened to these families, all the planning and efforts succeeded in meeting a genuine need in the Bay Area. The 351st Civil Affairs Command’s Family Readiness Support Assistant, Stacy Castellanos met that duty head on.

“We had monthly meetings to determine all that was needed for the event–location, how to distribute the toys, what types of youth groups would be invited, who would be Santa, how much food, drink, plates etc. were needed, who would provide the food and drinks and how they would be funded, security, parking, publicity, etc.,” said Castellanos.

Over 450 spouses, children and service members lined up to enter Operation Toy Drop when Santa himself arrived. The children and military families greeted a train-styled float, vibrantly colored in bright reds against a cast iron inspired body that brought Santa to the event.

Santa made his way through the line greeting the children, giving high-fives and boisterously letting out laughter as he found his chair inside where he would listen to each child’s holiday wishes.

The registration tables, staffed by volunteers from several Bay Area military units quickly began moving the families inside as each military family presented a military identification card. Inside NASA’s Buidling 152, children surveyed with excitement over 9,000 toys. Each child picked out a toy before waiting to greet Santa.

Once leaving the knee of the Kris Kringle, the families with their children moved into a room full of donated clothing and books. The parents shuffled through the wide selection of clothing that included jeans, skirts, shirts and much more, to find the right item. Meanwhile, children looked through the collection of books. Throughout the room smiles flashed from military family to military family and conversations murmured along a similar theme of, “oh, I didn’t know you were in Milpitas,” and “we’re located in Sunnyvale.”

Once the family selected the perfect item, volunteers presented them with a box of Girl Scout Cookies and a bag of Boy Scout flavored popcorn as they left the building. Outside, over 20 Bay Area community partners greeted the military families at information booths. The families meandered through the community partners, where they learned about a variety of services available to them here in the Bay Area.

Finally, the families the boarded a red and white miniature train temporarily christened the “Pizza Express” that shuttled the families over to a nearby picnic area. There, the families enjoyed pizza together before they left for the day.

Each family left with more than gifts and toys. The event brought together the Bay Area community as a reflection of the appreciation to the military family and especially their children.

“Military children don’t choose to have a parent deploy or move every 3 years, and they receive no recognition for their resiliency. This was an opportunity for us to all make military children feel appreciated, and Operation Toy Drop should grow into a better event each year,” said Castellanos.

It also brought together many military families to connect in a way they would not have otherwise. Equally importantly, it connected military families with the services offered by their local community partners, community partners that have the military family’s interest at heart.

The tradition of Operation Toy Drop started in Fort Bragg, N.C., in 1998, where soldiers donated a toy that would be distributed to children in the community. In exchange for this donation, the soldier would have the opportunity to make a parachute jump under a foreign nation’s jumpmaster. Making a parachute jump under a foreign jumpmaster grants a soldier the distinction of wearing that nation’s “jump wings” pin on their dress uniform.

Castellanos explains the Bay Area Operation Toy Drop took a different approach, without having the resources to facilitate a parachute jump. Rather the Bay Area Toy Drop focused on connecting the community and military families. It also expanded its mission to include all military families with children, rather than exclusively for families in need.

Coordinating for over 9,000 toys was no small task as Castellanos describes, “[w]e let Operation Care & Comfort coordinate the donation of toys from Kids Wish Network; however, Army Reserve units were vital in receiving the 28 pallets of toys and moving them to the event location.”

Receiving a special recognition award from Castellanos were: Kids Wish Network, Lockheed Martin Employee Foundation, NASA, Old Navy, Operation Care and Comfort and the Sound Spectrum.

The event ended at 2 p.m. that afternoon after taking care of four groups of military families, all told over 9,000 toys were distributed, nearly 100 pizzas, hundreds of articles of clothing and books were handed out to over 300 military families.

As the event ended, Director and Board Member of Kids Wish Network, Barbara Askin said, “this is really about the kids, it’s so great to see them here and to be a part of this.”

This event could not have been a success with the participation of the community partners, said Castellanos.

The community partners and volunteers that made the Bay Area Operation Toy Drop were: 129th Air Rescue Wing; 351st Civil Affairs Command; 469th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion; 63rd Regional Support Group; 7th Psychological Operations Group; American Legion Auxiliary; American Legion Post 105; Ames Research Center Fire Department; Camp Parks; City of Mountain View, Recreation Center; Family Readiness Group, 129th Air Rescue Wing; Fisher House; Junior Auxiliary, Unit 837, Dist. 10; Kids Wish Network; Lockheed Martin Employee Foundation; NASA; Old Navy; Operation Care and Comfort; Operation Military Kids; PMOSSP Flight Systems; Red Cross – Bay Area; Red Cross – Lynbrook; Red Cross – Milpitas; Red Cross – Saratoga; Red Cross – Silver Creek; Red Cross – Stanford; Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office; The First Tee; The Love of Dance; The Sound Spectrum; The Villages at Moffett and Parks and the YMCA.

Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System
Source:
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/81209/bay-area-operation-toy-drop-connects-military-families-children-and-community#.TuYF0LJGFcM

Soldiers from the 426th Civil Affairs Battalion in Upland last week dropped off three truckloads of toys at Santa Claus Inc., a 6,000-square-foot warehouse in San Bernardino that doubles as the North Pole.

Toys from Operation Toy Drop are among thousands of gifts that will make the holidays a little brighter for a record 17,000 underprivileged children in the San Bernardino, Colton, Redlands and Rialto school districts.

The local toy drop is part of a national event.

“This is the first year that Fort Bragg has expanded its toy drop to the West Coast,” said Jolyne Roberts, secretary of Family Readiness Group of the 426 Civil Affairs Battalion – Airborne.

“The toy drop project works in conjunction with the Kids Wish Network, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for children in life-altering situations.”

Roberts estimated children’s clothing and about 2,000 toys were dropped off by Lt. Col. James Orbock, Capt. Patrick Smith and three other soldiers.

“At Fort Bragg, the airborne soldiers aren’t allowed to jump unless they take a toy with them,” she said.

Little trucks and cars, doll furniture, dolls, games, strollers, high chairs and car seats will join the thousands of gifts already collected by Santa Claus Inc. for distribution beginning next week.

Now in its 59th year, Santa Claus Inc. helps parents in need give to their children at Christmastime.

Santa’s North Pole workshop opens with an open house Monday; and distribution of gifts starting on Tuesday and continuing through Dec. 14.

“We are gearing up for lots of families this year,” said Karen DiCarlo, Santa Claus Inc. president and head elf.

“The need is so great,” she said. “All those people just flat out wouldn’t have a Christmas celebration. It’s important to help make their Christmas a little brighter.”

The nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser, the beautiful Christmas Tree Lane event, is set for Friday with a black-tie optional evening gala and a Saturday afternoon luncheon.

Held annually at the National Orange Show Events Center, this year’s gala, “Christmas Stroll on 5th Avenue,” will feature 15 fabulous designer-decorated Christmas trees, a gourmet dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, a Macy’s Fashion Show, Cigar and Brandy Bar, and drawing for the trees and gifts.

Contra Costa Times
Contra Costa, California
Source:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_19445407

A little girl with a life-threatening lung condition has her wish to meet the cast and crew of the TV show NCIS granted by national children’s charity Kids Wish Network and gracious sponsors.

Kasey is only 11 years old and she has already overcome more obstacles in her life than most adults. You see, Kasey was born with a condition called cystic fibrosis.

This condition clogs her lungs, pancreas and air passages with thick mucus, often causing severe lung damage. Every day, Kasey endures about two hours of special treatments to help her breathe. She is in and out of the hospital frequently, follows a strict daily medication regimen and has had to take pancreatic enzymes. Kasey has also undergone several nasal surgeries and struggles with chronic sinus infections.

Kasey was given the chance to wish for anything she wanted through national children’s charity Kids Wish Network. They recently granted a wish for her older brother, Jacob, who met the Seattle Seahawks football team. When a Kids Wish Network wish coordinator asked Kasey what her fondest dream was, she replied that she wanted to meet the cast of her favorite TV show, NCIS.

Through the generosity of some wonderful local sponsors as well as sponsors in California, Kasey, her parents and her older brother were given a fantastical wish trip to Hollywood that included dinners every evening; accommodations at the famous Renaissance Hollywood hotel; trips to Universal Studios, the Hollywood Wax Museum and the Guinness World of Records Museum; and, of course, a day on the set of CBS’ hit show, NCIS.

“The wish was really amazing,” said Kasey’s mother, Lisa. “It was an experience of a lifetime.”

When they first arrived in Hollywood, Kasey and her family visited the Hollywood Wax Museum and the Guinness World of Records Museum. At the Wax Museum, their tour guide took a special interest in Kasey and, having heard of her affinity for collecting quarters, presented Kasey with a special foreign coin.

Although the first day was fun, the family’s second day in Hollywood was the best of all; it was the day they visited the set of NCIS.

After a ride from their hotel to the CBS studios in a limousine, Kasey and her family were treated to a special in-depth tour of the different sets and backlots and they watched the cast film plenty of scenes for an upcoming episode of NCIS. Of course, what excited Kasey the most was meeting the actors who play her favorite characters. On set that day were Mark Harmon, Mike Weatherly, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray, Sarah Jane Morris and David McCallum’s double, Fred L. Tate.

Each and every star treated Kasey like she was a part of the cast. She was given special tours by Mark Harmon and Mike Weatherly of their onscreen desks and Mike Weatherly even put a gift given to him by Kasey into the drawer so that she could see it in the show later on. Fred Tate presented Kasey with a book of his short stories that he signed just to her and Kasey was also given tons of signed photographs, all sorts of NCIS gear and even a very special NCIS golf shirt.

According to Lisa, “Kasey was just glowing! She was over the moon! Everyone, from the cast to the crew members, made her feel like she was a part of the team. They made her feel so special that it was hard for her to leave the set! It was amazing!”

After such an exciting day, the rest of the trip was just icing on the cake for Kasey. She loved every minute she spent at Universal Studios Hollywood the next day and had a blast eating special s’mores at the Saddle Ranch Chop House later that evening.

When it was time to leave and head home to Washington , even Lisa admits that it was difficult.

“We’re a little sad that it’s over, but it’s neat to watch NCIS at home and remember our day there on the set. It was an amazing experience and we are so grateful for everything that was done for us. This is something that Kasey will never forget. Thank you so very much.”

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Lindsey’s wish extra special: The cast and crew of NCIS; Bob Baga; Woodmen of the World Lodge 84; Woodmen of the World Lodge 35; Renaissance Hollywood; Midway Car Rental; Universal Studios Hollywood; Saddle Ranch Chop House; The Grill on Hollywood; and Hollywood Wax Museum.

Cote-de-Pablo.com
Source:
http://cote-de-pablo.com/ncis-cast-grants-special-wish/

“That was my favorite, Mom!” she exclaims with certainty, until her older sister, Makayla, reminds her about the Matterhorn Bobsleds ride. Lilly adds quickly, “That was my favorite, too!”

The Phillipses were able to take the vacation in mid-October thanks to Kids Wish Network, a national charitable organization that grants 150-200 wishes annually to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Lilly was born seven weeks premature and had not fully developed an optic nerve and is legally blind. The energetic toddler also suffers from a permanently damaged skull bone flap. Lilly, who has no skull on the right side of her head, had an artificial plate installed in June which means she no longer has to wear a helmet to protect herself from head injuries. But, she still has no appetite and must be fed daily by a feeding tube.

Her medical condition has made the family hesitant to travel too far from Children’s Hospital for their vacations – until recently.

“We’re just getting to where Lilly doesn’t have to see her array of doctors so much,” said her mom, Michelle Phillips.

Kids Wish Network received a wish referral for Lilly in February. After confirming with Lilly’s doctor that she suffers a life-threatening condition, the organization went to work on granting Lilly’s wish.

“She was very talkative,” recalled Meanda DuBay with the Network. “She was able to tell us she wanted to see Disney princesses – and that’s exactly what she told me.”

Lilly soon forgot about the princesses after she got to Disneyland.

“Once she got there, she was all about the rides,” Michelle said.

Along with their time at Disney, DuBay coordinated for the family to spend the day at Newport Beach – playing in the surf and riding rented bikes on the boardwalk.

“She loves to feel the wind on her face and she loves the water, so the beach was a big hit,” Michelle said.

The Phillipses also got treated to a day at the Discovery Science Center and all their dinners were planned – they got to eat at Tony Roma’s, Olive Garden and Ruby Tuesdays.

“This was an opportunity for them to be there as a family,” DuBay said. “The last thing we want is for parents to worry about those details.”

Having their activities and meals planned was a load off Michelle’s mind.

“As a mother it was so wonderful not to worry about anything,” Michelle said. “They had everything planned for us. It was really wonderful to take that time to relax.”

Michelle and her husband, Clayton, have a total of four children – the oldest, Makayla, 15, Emily, 11, Bryce, 8, and Lilly, who just turned 4 on Oct. 17.

Michelle credits the team of doctors at Children’s Hospital (referring to them as “wonderful”) and her other children for Lilly’s progress.

“One of the reasons Lilly has done so well is she has three older siblings that give her constant stimulation,” Michelle said.

Michelle recalls that when Lilly was 10 months old, she was still like a newborn – she could not roll over, sit up or do anything age appropriate.

“She was usually in a state between awake and asleep, and she didn’t respond much,” Michelle said.

Now, Lilly behaves like other 4-year-olds – laughs when her older brother teases her, listens intently when her oldest sister reminds her about the rides they went on at Disneyland and loves to show off her new trampoline she got on her birthday.

Although Lilly has come a long way in such a short time, she has other challenges to overcome. Her family will have to teach her to eat at certain times of the day and how much, since she has no appetite. And when she’s a teenager, Lilly will undergo a rib graft to fill in the hole in her skull.

But for now, the family is content remembering their Disneyland vacation and daydreaming about the next big vacation they’d like to take in three years – Hawaii.

While the Phillipses had a great time in California, there was one thing Lilly really wanted to do but may never get the chance.

“Lilly really wanted to ride a whale in the ocean, but we couldn’t find one,” Michelle said with a laugh.

Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel
Thornton, Colorado
Source:
http://www.great8newspapers.com/Articles-News-c-2011-11-10-222669.114125-sub-A-wish-come-true.html