A teen suffering from leukemia has her wish to meet the crew of Travel Channel’s show “Ghost Adventures” granted through the generosity of Travel Channel and Kids Wish Network.

Tashia is a teenager for whom everything is an adventure, including her battle with cancer.

After collapsing at home, Tashia was life-flighted to the Oakland Children’s Hospital where she was diagnosed with having acute myelogenous leukemia, or AML, which is a rapidly growing blood cancer. Her doctors immediately started her on chemotherapy treatments and she endured four rounds of chemo while her doctors were searching for a bone marrow match for a possible transplant.

Luckily, Tashia’s older sister Keisha was an identical match and the two girls suffered together through the painful process. After months in the hospital, Tashia was finally allowed to go home.

During Tashia’s time in the hospital, her mother Brandy was told by a social worker about Kids Wish Network, a charity that grants the wishes of children and teens with life-threatening illnesses. Brandy gave the organization a call and found out that Tashia was more than eligible for a wish. When Wish Coordinator Jill asked Tashia what wish she wanted, Tashia told her that she wished to meet the crew of her favorite show, Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” and maybe even accompany them on a paranormal investigation.

According to Brandy, Tashia and her sister have always been interested in the paranormal. In fact, during Tashia’s stay in the hospital, “she looked forward to watching the show every day. She’d find out when it was on, tell me, and we worked a schedule around the show to be able to watch it together…you look forward to doing certain things when you’re there [in the hospital] so long. That just made it better.”

Wish Coordinator Jill arranged for Tashia to meet up with Zak Bagans, Nick Groff and Aaron Godwin from Travel Channel’s show “Ghost Adventures” while they were filming an episode on the reportedly haunted Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet.

Tashia, her mom, her stepfather and her older sister Keisha rode in a limousine to Alameda where the famous ship was docked. The rain and fog set the perfect tone for the teen’s spooky wish.

“It was so cool and they were so nice,” said Tashia about meeting her three favorite paranormal investigators. “They’re really down to earth.”

Tashia and her family were invited by Zak, Nick and Aaron to join them in investigating some of the stranger happenings that had been reported on the ship.

Tashia and her other family members were given various pieces of paranormal investigation equipment and the three hosts explained everything they needed to do to try and evoke a response from whatever entities may be in residence on the Hornet.

“It was so much fun,” said Tashia. “We heard footsteps in the dishwashing room that sounded like military boots. [Beforehand] I thought it would freak me out, but it didn’t…the other group saw a partial apparition cross a doorway…it was just so cool.”

According to Brandy, watching her daughter interact with the Ghost Adventures Crew and learn about paranormal investigations was absolutely wonderful: “When Zak was talking to her [Tashia] about provoking them [the spirits] and telling her that’s what he does, she was just soaking it all up like a sponge. Her smile was just something else. It was just so great!”

Once the initial investigation was over, Tashia was ready to say goodbye to the crew when Zak, Nick and Aaron presented her with a sweatshirt, t-shirt, autographed pictures and even four pieces of their paranormal equipment that they used to investigate with.

According to Tashia, they gave her the flashlight from the side of Aaron’s camera, two different EMS detectors and an infrared laser thermometer. “I’ve used them like every five minutes since I got home,” said Tashia.

An extra added surprise came when Zak took his necklace off and placed it around Tashia’s neck. When asked if she had taken it off since her wish, Tashia quickly replied that she never would.

“That night [of the wish], when I went in [to the hotel room] to check on Tashia and Keisha… Tashia was asleep on the bed with her new sweatshirt on and she had some of the equipment they gave her spread out around her on the bed,” said Brandy.

In addition to the ghost hunt, Jill also arranged for Tashia and her family to enjoy some sightseeing in San Francisco by sending them to the Aquarium of the Bay and the California Academy of Sciences.

Of her wish, Tashia said, “It was more than I could’ve imagined…I’m already planning a few investigations of my own.”

“They all went above and beyond,” said Brandy of the generosity of the Travel Channel stars. “I can’t thank Zak, Nick and Aaron enough. The time they spent meant a lot more to Tashia than they’ll ever know. It’s definitely something we’ll never forget.”

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Tashia’s wish extra special: “Ghost Adventures” and the Travel Channel; Argonaut Hotel; San Francisco Recreation and Parks; McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant; CapitoLimousine; Blue Mermaid Chowder House; Aquarium of the Bay; California Academy of Sciences; and Ghirardelli Chocolate Company.

Happy News
Published: 03/05/10
Source:
http://www.happynews.com/news/352010/leukemia-travel-channel-ghost-adventure.htm

Tags: Ghost Adventures, haunted, paranormal, Travel Channel

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When it comes to having a good time, Fairfield’s Tashia Guinn prefers prowling the dank, darkened passageways of a decommissioned aircraft carrier to Disneyland any day.

The 19-year-old leukemia survivor got such a chance just last month after the Kids Wish Network arranged for her to join the cast of the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” and explore the USS Hornet, a 67-year-old aircraft carrier that’s reputed to be the most haunted ship in the U.S. Navy.

Guinn was a 17-year-old senior at Buckingham Charter School in 2008 when she was first stricken by acute myelogenous leukemia. She collapsed at home and later was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Oakland, where she was diagnosed with the life-threatening form of cancer. It was there that her mother, Brandy, was told about the Kids Wish Network by a social worker.

The Florida-based charity grants the wishes of children and teens with life-threatening illnesses and, the organization reported, Guinn was clearly eligible for its services.

Guinn wanted neither theme park thrill rides nor the sunny beaches of a tropical paradise. She just wanted to meet the crew of her favorite TV program, “Ghost Adventures,” and perhaps accompany them on one of their investigations.

“The paranormal has always been a part of my life,” Guinn said. “There were a lot of stories from my family, but I’d never actually been on a paranormal investigation before.”

She got her wish — and more.

Not only did the Kids Wish Network start working on her wish to join the ghost hunters, a successful bone marrow transplant from her older sister, Keisha, also helped put her leukemia into remission.

In February, she and her family were whisked by limousine to Alameda, where she joined “Ghost Adventures” cast members Zak Bagans, Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin as they began their investigation into the haunting of the USS Hornet, a 1942 aircraft carrier that’s now a museum docked at the old Alameda Naval Air Station.

The afternoon was appropriately dark and stormy, and the “Ghost Adventures” cast was more than accommodating. They allowed Guinn to accompany them into the depths of the old Essex class carrier.

It was more than a standard meet-and-greet, and Guinn had an opportunity to participate in a search for paranormal activity inside the ship as the cast employed electromagnetic field detectors, infrared heat sensors and a specialized “voice box” for the use of any cooperative spirits they might encounter.

“I didn’t see anything, but we heard these really clear footsteps,” she recalled. “They sounded like military boots — but nobody was there.”

Hearing the ghostly footsteps, Guinn said, “was more surreal than anything — not scary — mostly just exciting.”

The “Ghost Adventures” crew, Brandy said, was great to her daughter and fun to be with.

When the USS Hornet exploration was complete, the trio showered Guinn with souvenirs from the program along with some of their standard investigative tools, including two types of electromagnetic field detectors, a temperature sensor and hands-free, triple-beamed flashlight.

High on the list of Guinn’s gifts was a silver Ghost Adventures Crew pendant presented to her by Bagans.

Although Guinn finds the field of paranormal investigation fascinating, she says her career options are still wide open. Among her interests are anthropology, animation and horticulture.

The Reporter
Vacaville, California
Published: 03/07/10
Source:
http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_14629428

Tags: Ghost Adventures, ghosts, haunted, Travel Channel, Wish

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ATLANTA, Ga. – David Melitski, a New Jersey State Trooper with a great heart and a love for cars, entered the 2009 Corvette Dream Giveaway wanting only to help out the children served by Kids Wish Network’s programs. He never thought that he had a real chance to win. http://kidswishnetwork.org/wp-admin/index.php

“It was just something I wanted to do out of the goodness of my heart to help the kids,” said David.

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized charitable organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children across the United States. They work to achieve this goal through their unique and uplifting programs.

The Corvette Dream Giveaway was created as a fundraising event to support Kids Wish Network’s Hero of the Month program, benefiting thousands of children in the care of hundreds of pediatric facilities nationwide.

David was announced as the winner of the Giveaway on Christmas day.

According to David, “It’s still kind of unbelievable! When I got the call, I immediately thought, ‘Ok, which one of my friends is pranking me?’”

Over the weekend, David was handed the keys to the one-of-a-kind Hero Edition ZR1 (serial #1 of 1) and a fully restored 1967 427 Corvette roadster by 15-year-old Dylan Ethridge, Kids Wish Network’s 2009
Hero of the Year. The Grand Prize Award Ceremony took place at Summit Racing’s flagship superstore in McDonough, Georgia.

About the big day, David said, “It was fun. They really did an incredible job of all of it.”

Dylan, the Hero of the Year for Kids Wish Network, was also really excited and humbled to be a part of such a great ceremony.

“I’m blessed is all I can say,” said Dylan. “It was all pretty cool and I really had a lot of fun. Everything was really nice.”

Dylan even bonded with David on another level: the two talked about their different experiences with life-changing circumstances. Dylan was paralyzed after a fall from a tree and David dealt with a broken neck in his teenage years. David even took Dylan for a ride in his new ’67 Corvette!

“THAT was awesome!” said Dylan of the ride.

David still cannot believe his luck in winning the two spectacular Corvettes.

“It’s definitely surreal to say the least,” he said. “It’s just incredible!”

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org

Corvette Dream Giveaway is a sweepstakes to benefit the children served by Kids Wish Network’s Hero program. For more information on the Corvette Dream Giveaway, visit their website at www.winthevettes.com

Tags: cdg, Corvette, corvette dream giveaway, Corvette Giveaway

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Nine-year-old Mekayla Sheely’s eyes dance and burn by turns.

They flash mischief one minute. They glimmer with pride the next, as she quietly completes her physical therapy, even as wispy limbs flail and fail her.

Mekayla – who at 18 months old was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and is still unable to speak – has lived a quiet life behind those eyes, a life that’s required her to fight through surgeries to fix the muscles and tendons in her body that don’t grow or work like those of a healthy child.

Along the way she’s mastered a special computer, which, through a sensor attached to her forehead, allows her to select symbols from a series of detailed menus on her screen. The computer then processes what she inputs, allowing her to communicate.

Through buttons with cheery graphics like rockets, cats and airplanes, Mekayla can tell those around her what she’s thinking.

It’s a machine usually only adult patients can handle because of its complexity, said her mother, Abby Sheely. But Mekayla had mastered her computer within three months of receiving it.

That’s typical for a girl who, at birth, was given only a 50-50 chance of survival.

And it’s the type of thing that amazes those who’ve watched her grow.

One of those is Pam Krise, a physical therapist at Cherry Tree Rehabilitation Center who’s been helping Mekayla get her strength back after an operation on her hamstrings last fall, which left both of her legs in full casts from hip to heel.

Krise said when she was notified of a new Hanover Hospital program – “Hero of the Month” – she knew she wanted to nominate Mekayla for the first award.

Hanover Hospital was selected in December of last year to be a part of that larger national program, which is run by the Kids Wish Network, an organization most well-known for granting wishes to sick and dying children across the country.

But the Hero of the Month program is specifically designed for kids from age 3 to 13, who’ve “faced and overcome difficult circumstances, often enduring a great deal of pain and suffering,” according to the Kids Wish Network Web site.

That seemed to perfectly sum up Mekayla, said Bethanie Freeman, coordinator of pediatric therapy at the rehabilitation center.

Freeman said her staff will choose one winner each month for two years, with a total of 24 local kids receiving a gift certificate and other small tokens to make them smile. It’s exciting because these are kids who often aren’t recognized for the work they put in, she said.

“When we first heard about the program and that we could be a part of it, we thought it was too good to be true,” Freeman said.

And Mekayla seemed to like it too, all toothy smile and dancing eyes after hearing talk of her prize at this week’s physical-therapy session.

“Through everything, Mekayla just keeps going and keeps smiling,” Krise said.

In all likelihood, the coming years will be as difficult for the Sheelys as the last nine they’ve fought through together.

Mekayla’s most-recent surgery has left her with more movement for now, but because those with cerebral palsy are in a constant battle to keep muscles stretched and in good shape, there’s no guarantee Mekayla won’t need the same operation all over again in years to come.

There are the shots – five preventative, burning needles in each leg every three months – that Mekayla must continue to endure.

And doctors have already told her mother that Mekayla will need a double hip-replacement surgery in years to come, in order to correct improperly growing bones.

They’re just waiting until she’s a little older before they operate again, her mother said.

But that’s exactly what the Sheelys are not doing – waiting.

The past nine years have taught Abby Sheely to enjoy every day, so Mekayla goes to Washington Elementary School to learn and play with friends. She shops, Skypes and shares secrets with other girls her age.

“I consider her lucky,” Abby said, reaching out for her suddenly slouching daughter, half-catch, half-hug.

In that vein, this weekend there will be a birthday party for Mekayla at the Sheely apartment. Little friends will pile in, laugh, sleep over.

Through all of that, Mekayla will look on from a custom-made wheelchair as cupcakes are made, her twisted legs dangling, hands clenched involuntary into fists that belie that icing-sweet smile.

While a crowd of third-grade girls run and jump like third-grade girls do, Mekayla will sit quietly and watch them play.

But her eyes, they’ll be dancing.

Evening Sun
Hanover, Pennsylvania
Published: 02/19/10
Source:
http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_14428224

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Maria Berner, 13, was chosen as Kids Wish Network’s Hero of the Month from Shriners Hospitals for Children-Twin Cities for her positive attitude and willingness to succeed despite the difficult times she is facing.

At 11 months old, a bump was discovered on her leg, which led to the diagnosis of osteosarcoma.

Mariah went through more than nine months of chemotherapy, but at the age of 2 1/2, her leg had to be amputated. Mariah has been cancer-free for more than 11 years and her mom, Laurie Berner of Duluth, said she is doing well. All of her prosthetic care has been done at Shriners. The staff nominated Mariah for their December Hero of the Month.

The program is sponsored through national charity Kids Wish Network and it recognizes children between the ages of 3 and 18 who do not have a life-threatening illness but have faced difficult or tragic times and shown bravery or great strength. With the award, Mariah was given a certificate of honor, a T-shirt, a medal and a $400 Wal-Mart gift card.

Kids Wish Network’s Hero of the Month Program was designed to help little heroes who have had to face some of life’s unfortunate experiences. These children do not have life-threatening illnesses, but rather face some very sad or extraordinary circumstances. These children must be in residence or have been treated through one of the Hero facilities nationwide. If you know of a hospital, program or facility that may benefit from our Hero of the Month program, please call (888) 918-9004.

Duluth News Tribune
Duluth, Minnesota
Published: 02/14/10
Source:
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/160091/

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A teen suffering from Osteosarcoma has his wish to visit the Florida theme parks granted through national children’s charity, Kids Wish Network.

At the start of his senior year in high school, Sam developed a pain in his right knee. He went to the doctor and got a diagnosis of tendonitis. Then a lump started forming and Sam went back to the doctor to have a biopsy done. When the results came back, the lump was found to be a malignant tumor. Sam immediately began receiving chemotherapy to treat the tumor, but in January of 2009, part of his right leg was amputated.

During his hospitalization, a social worker told Sam that he might be able to have a wish granted through Kids Wish Network, so he decided to give them a call. After completing the application process, Sam was put in touch with Wish Coordinator Jen, who asked what he wanted to wish for; Sam told her that he wanted to enjoy some time hopping from theme park to theme park in the Sunshine State and Jen got right to work.

With the help of Wish Funding Specialist Doris and some outstanding local sponsors, Jen arranged to send Sam, his parents and his younger sister to Florida for a much-needed vacation. While there, Jen made sure that Sam and his family had top accommodations, fantastic meals and, of course, tickets to every theme park that they could handle.

“It was so great!” said Sam of his wish trip. “We got to do four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.”

The best part of the whole trip was that every day was set on a pre-planned itinerary provided by Sam’s Wish Coordinator with plenty of room for extra side trips and other activities.

“When we saw it [the itinerary], it was way more than what we ever thought we could do, but it went really great! We did everything!”

In addition to the days filled with visits to theme parks, Sam and his family also got to enjoy their final dinner in Florida at the Pirates Dinner Adventure Theater, where Sam and his dad were called upon to participate in the swashbuckling fun of the floor show!

“It was the last thing before school started back up,” said Sam of his vacation. “It was really great.”

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Sam’s wish extra special: Pikes Peak Credit Union, Insight Systems Consulting, ABC Bank, Nesquehonic VFW Memorial Post 8008, Mr. Bruce Gillooly, American Legion Post 5, The Royal Plaza Hotel, Compassion Partners, Pirates Dinner Theater, The California Pizza Kitchen, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Wonderworks.

Happy News
Published: 02/15/10
Source:
http://www.happynews.com/news/2152010/sick-teen-granted-trip-sunshine-state.htm