CANYON, Minn. (January 2023): Journeying hundreds of miles every other week for essential medical treatments is the only travel that Willow has ever known. That was until her dream came true. Willow wished she could go to Disney to see Mickey Mouse and wave to him. It’s time for Willow to start practicing her parade wave! Kids Wish Network made it possible for her to go to Disney World and other major Orlando theme parks. Her family will receive Disney Park Hopper passes to experience as many of the parks as they choose, with the option to fit in multiple parks each of their three days. Universal is providing tickets for Willow’s family to visit Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure with two-day passes, and Merlin’s Magic Wand is giving the family fun-filled tickets to LEGOLAND. Kids Wish Network also purchased generous gift cards for their air travel, and accommodations and provided additional assistance for the essentials of their wish.

Willow’s childhood has been anything but carefree, coping with multiple life-threatening conditions. She has complete situs inversus with dextrocardia, meaning her heart is flipped and mirrored inside her body, and is also located on the opposite side of her chest. Her list continues with coarctation aorta, a heart defect with a narrowing of the aorta. She was also the youngest child in the nation to be diagnosed at 14 months with hypercholesterolemia, a condition causing high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Many Thanks

Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Willow without the help of Merlin’sMagic Wand, Universal, and the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope. Visit www.kidswishnetwork.org to learn about our different programs. Kids Wish Network has been making dreams come true for children since 1997. We are dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children experiencing life-altering situations. We started with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering from life-threatening conditions but have since created additional programs to benefit kids nationwide, including Hero of the Month, Project Toy Drop, Holiday of Hope Gift Banks, and A Child Forever Funeral Assistance.