In a time of nationwide economic struggles, it is often difficult for the wish funding specialists at Kids Wish Network to find sponsors to help fund the wishes they hope to grant. The wishes represent the very special dreams entrusted to the organization by children who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

Doris McNitt, a funding specialist for the Kids Wish Network trying to obtain wish funding for a Holly child contacted the Holly Moose Lodge and was put in contact with Gerry Murphy, the lodge’s governor.

“Doris called to let me know about the wish and I had to tell her that I would bring it up at our next meeting,” Murphy said. “And we decided to try – we just have a bunch of good people here.”

Board members Bruce Hammond and Terry Baker agreed. “We were able to raise the money in a month’s time,” Hammond said. “We all just pulled together and made it happen.”

Within that month, the Holly Moose Lodge raised over $3,000, enough to fund the child’s only wish to visit Disney World in Florida. Murphy said the money was raised through a variety of fundraisers including dinners and a gun raffle sponsored by the Moose Lodge.

“Gerry Murphy went above and beyond for the (wish) family which is a lot in this day and age,” McNitt said. “He did such an awesome job – I hope the community of Holly knows what a tremendous person they have in their midst.”

Thanks to the Murphy and members of the Holly Moose Lodge, a wish has been granted.

“That’s just what we at the Holly Moose Lodge do here in our community,” a humble Murphy said. “Doing this just makes you feel good and want to do more.”

The Holly Express
Holly, Michigan
Published: 10/05/10
Source:

http://www.thehollyexpress.com/community/features/905-holly-moose-help-grant-local-childs-wish

In 2009, Natasha started experiencing body aches and she just kept catching colds. At one point, she even lost hearing in one ear, so she was taken to the emergency room. There, Natasha was placed on antibiotics and didn’t show any signs of getting better, so her doctors opted to try testing for other issues and did a spinal tap. After that, Natasha was diagnosed with having lupus, an inflammatory condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s organs and tissues. For this condition, she takes medicines and visits the hospital for IV treatments two to three times a month.

For her wish, Natasha visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Center, where she rode all sorts of rides and just had a real blast.

“Natasha had fun,” said her mom. “We all did. She really enjoyed the rides and thought it was the greatest thing in the whole world…It [the wish trip] is a wish-come-true for my children. I think it is the most wonderful and beautiful thing ever.”

At less than one month of age, little Ebonnyse was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition called Sickle Cell Disease. This is a devastating and debilitating illness that affects the blood and causes serious episodes of pain. When she was about 1-year-old, Ebonnyse had her spleen removed, and because of this, she gets sick very easily. She has had many blood transfusions in her short life and will continue to need more. Her illness requires constant attention, as it can lead to blood clots, strokes, comas and even organ failure.

Ebonnyse and her family visited Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure, Sea World, the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Though she enjoyed everything she experienced, Ebonnyse particularly loved the dolphin shows, whale shows and the “Journey to Atlantis” ride at Sea World. 

When he was three, Deacon was diagnosed with having Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that begins by primarily affecting the legs and pelvis and later affects the entire body. Deacon has already endured a muscle biopsy in his legs and currently has limited mobility. He participates in physical therapy and must take steroids for his condition.

Deacon and his family visited Universal Studios, SeaWorld, the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom for his wish. At each park, Deacon, his parents and his sisters thoroughly enjoyed themselves while riding rides, watching the parades and just enjoying the vacation.

“It was awesome,” said Deacon’s mom. “He loved Universal Studios with all of the superheroes and he is still talking about the pirate dinner we went to…Everything was fun and we are tired, but it was worth it.” 

Brianna is a bright, outgoing 7-year-old little girl who loves to play with Barbie dolls and My Little Pony toys. When she was born, Brianna was diagnosed with congenital heart disease. She had her first surgery when she was just 1-week-old and has had four additional surgeries in her short life. Brianna will need to have additional heart surgeries in the future, and a procedure done to reduce the narrowing of the arteries in her lungs.

Brianna’s wish to visit Disney World and Disney’s Hollywood Studios came true. She had a great time meeting all the characters and spending time at The Magic Kingdom. Her dad, Michael, said that the whole experience with Kids Wish Network was wonderful and greatly appreciated. Michael said he was happy that his daughter’s wish came true.

Cody Meets his Hero

When he was only a day old, Cody was diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease. This is a condition in which there are no nerve cells in certain organs. In his short ten years, Cody has undergone over 70 surgeries to correct and treat his ailment. He has had most of his large intestine removed and must have constant IV fluids. For the past two years, Cody has been fed via IV, but is now trying to adjust to eating food by mouth. Later this year, he must endure yet another surgery on his intestine and he was recently hospitalized and had to endure two blood transfusions.

As soon as Bear Grylls walked into the room, he and Cody struck up a conversation. By the time they had to part ways, they still hadn’t stopped talking. Meeting his hero was everything Cody had ever dreamed of and more!

In addition to wanting to talk to Bear, Cody also had a few things that he wanted to give the adventurer including a NY hat, some homemade cookies and a throwing star that he carved for his hero out of sticks and put together himself. In return, Bear brought a personalized book that he wanted to give to Cody. It was definitely a wish come true.

By the time he was 7-months-old, Daymon had already undergone three surgeries for spina bifida. Children born with this condition suffer from different degrees of paralysis, ambulatory problems, loss of sensation and deformation of the hips, knees and feet. He has had 10 surgeries on his feet and had a rod placed in his back. He cannot walk or feel his feet, and relies on a wheelchair for movement. When Daymon turned 12, he endured a surgery to remove the rod in his back and put in a more permanent device. He may also have to have surgery on his hip in the future for his scoliosis, a condition that has curved his spine. In addition, Daymon also has hydrocephalus, which is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull. To relieve pressure from the fluid buildup, doctors placed a shunt in Daymon’s skull.

For his wish, Daymon wanted to meet his idol, Miley Cyrus.

Daymon and his family were flown out to meet Miley in New Orleans on the set of her new movie, So Undercover. After the limo ride to the church where the movie was filming, Daymon and his parents were waiting before the meeting and actually ran into Miley in the hallway! She greeted Daymon like a friend and hey talked for a bit and then re-met a bit later, continuing their conversation. Daymon even brought Miley some gifts, including a pink teddy bear that Miley loved and named “Pinky.”

“It was the best time of my life,” said Daymon.

At the age of 3, Cameron was diagnosed with a painful kidney disease called Mesangial Proliferative Glomerulonephritis. Since then, he’s had to endure constant chemotherapy and steroid treatments and he is on anti-rejection medications. Because of this kidney disorder, Cameron also suffers from Nephrotic Syndrome, which has caused him massive protein loss, skyrocketing blood pressure and swelling of the body, for which he has had to endure an transfusions of Albumin to try to replace these lost proteins. These conditions are caused by any sort of immune response from Cameron’s body, which means that if he suffers any infection, his conditions are triggered.

For his only wish, Cameron wanted to visit the brand new “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” section at the Universal Studios Resort in Orlando, Florida.

While at the park, Cameron and his family toured Hogwarts castle and were treated to a ride on the brand new attraction, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” which, in itself, would have made Cameron’s wish to fly with Harry Potter a reality for the teen.

According to his mom Casey, “He [Cameron] has Asperger’s Syndrome along with kidney disease and one of his favorite activities is running around the house and yard with a grammar school graduation robe, his sorting hat and Harry Potter wand on his Nimbus 2000 replica broom pretending to play Quidditch with Harry Potter…This was truly his dream come true.”

During their “stay” in “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” Cameron also visited Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, where he “confiscated” a t-shirt of his very own; the Owlery; Dervish and Banges; and even Ollivander’s Wand Shop, where a wand “chose” Cameron just like they do in the Harry Potter books, much to Cameron’s delight.

Thanks again, everyone. I’m so glad we could get this together for her by Christmas!

Hopefully, pictures to come…

Vanessa
Wish Department

Amber is a happy 18-year-old who was diagnosed with a neuro-developmental illness called Rett Syndrome at the age of three. This illness causes her to have seizures and has left her completely non-verbal. She relies on a wheelchair for mobility and needs assistance and supervision at all times.

Amber’s Florida theme park wish was just what she wanted! Her mom said Amber enjoyed the Winnie the Pooh and Buzz Lightyear rides and also liked the Lion King and Finding Nemo shows. She had a smile from ear to ear and was so excited that her wish came true!