Maleia never could have imagined that her sprained wrist would turn into a severe infection. She was faced with all the uncertainties of being hospitalized, as well as her first surgery of many. Maleia remained in the hospital for weeks and impressed staff with her bravery throughout her labs, IVs, and additional testing. Her can-do attitude was inspiring to others, as well as her positivity. She’d often walk the halls greeting nurses and other patients and ask about their day. She was nominated by Courtney Famuliner, her Certified Child Life Specialist at Wesley Children’s Hospital in Wichita, KS. Kids Wish Network is happy to award Maleia as a Hero of the Month

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.