ORLANDO, Fla. (April 2024): Laila was enjoying family time at the Holey Moley Golf Club Denver, when she discovered she wasn’t just there to putt around. While golfing they announced that Kids Wish Network was making her dream come true, sending her to Disney, Universal and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum! Holey Moley Golf Club Denver provided her family’s putt putt time and meals, and gave Laila a trophy and Minion gift. It was all so unexpected, and more fun was just around the corner with her big wish ahead. 

With much anticipation, the day she had been waiting for finally arrived. Kids Wish Network flew Laila and her family to Orlando, and it felt incredible flying on an airplane for the first time. It was an exciting beginning to her personalized wish trip of all new adventures. 

Laila adores Minions, so she loved all the rides and attractions featuring her favorite yellow characters at Universal’s Minion land. Her family’s admission to Universal was provided by the theme park. One of their sweetest Disney encounters was when Laila met Mickey Mouse and he shouted out an enthusiastic “yay!” for her being a cancer survivor. It was one of many magical moments.

Her family also had a red carpet hangout with all the lifelike celebrity wax figures at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Laila was especially happy to pose with the dupe of her favorite star Ariana Grande. Admission was courtesy of Merlin’s Magic Wand. 

All of the restaurants who participated in Laila’s wish were so kind and attentive. They dined at Joe’s Crab Shack, Bahama Breeze Island Grille, Chuy’s, and City Works Eatery and Pour House Disney Springs. Knowing that she collects Pokemon cards, Bahama Breeze gifted her a bunch for her collection, and packed up desserts for them to take back to their hotel. All of the restaurants graciously provided her family’s meals, and created special family memories.

Accommodations were generously provided by Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando- International Drive. Laila’s family also enjoyed the hotel’s daily breakfast.

There were many meaningful moments throughout the trip. “She was so excited looking at the fireworks and the castle,” said her mom Roxana. “It touched my heart. I cried the last day looking at her.”

And the joy felt during Laila’s getaway continues back home. Her mom said, “I look at her and she’s so happy. Thank you to everyone who was involved in this, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Laila has been through so much on her cancer journey. The bulge on the side of her neck turned out to be Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that starts in white blood cells. She had a large mass in the middle of her lungs that continued to her spleen, stomach and neck, and was also pressing on her heart. She immediately started chemo followed by radiation. She’s in remission, and continues to be monitored.

Many Thanks 

Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Laila without the help of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orando-International Drive, Bahama Breeze Island Grille, Joe’s Crab Shack, Chuy’s, City Works Eatery and Pour House Disney Springs, Universal, Merlin’s Magic Wand, Holey Moley Golf Club Denver, and the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope.

Sponsors

Holey Moley Golf Club Denver

https://www.holeymoley.com/locations/denver

FB: https://www.facebook.com/holeymoleygolf.usa/ 

IG: holeymoleygolf.usa 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando- International Drive

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/orlando/mcocd/hoteldetail

FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayinnidrive/ 

IG: holidayinnsuitesinternational

Bahama Breeze

www.bahamabreeze.com/locations/fl/orlando/orlando-lake-buena-vista/3016

FB: https://www.facebook.com/BahamaBreezeOrlandoFL3016/

IG: bahamabreezeislandgrille

Joe’s Crab Shack

https://www.joescrabshack.com/location/joes-crab-shack-kissimmee/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/JoesCrabShackKissimmee/ 

IG: officialjoescrabshack

Chuy’s

https://www.chuys.com/locations/i-shops 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ChuysOrlando 

IG: chuysrestaurant 

City Works

https://www.cityworksrestaurant.com/locations/disneysprings-2/ 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/cityworksorlando/ 

IG: cityworksus

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. 

Every kid’s wish is worth the investment because every wish changes a life.

If you would like to sponsor a child’s wish, or if you know a child who is suffering from a life-threatening illness and may be in need of Kids Wish Network’s wish-granting services, please call 727-789-0008.