Children's wishes DO COME TRUE!
The
Make-A-Wish
Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. is a non-profit
organization that grants the wishes of children facing
life-threatening medical conditions. In just seven years, we have
granted wishes in Chad's name to 24 wonderful children. These are
children from your community whose families endure countless
hospital visits and overwhelming medical expenses.
Wishes granted in Chad's and Alyssa's name:
2009
Twelve-year-old Foster is from Gwynn Oak, MD and his favorite thing in the world is wrestling. Foster and his family attended the 25th Anniversary of Wrestle-Mania in Houston, TX. In addition to attending the big event, Foster was inducted into the WWE/Make-A-Wish® Circle of Champions!
Robert is a 15-year-old music lover from Forest Hill, MD. His wish was to have a Gibson SG’61 re-issue electric guitar and equipment to create a guitar recording studio. That is just what he received, along with an iMac computer with recording software, a microphone, headphones, and amp.
Each wish provides a diversion
from hospital visits and medical treatments and enriches the human
experience with hope, strength and joy.
2008
Seventeen year old Amanda is from Clarksville and all she wanted was to redecorate her room in a tropical theme so she could relax in her much-needed retreat.
Andrew is thirteen years old and lives in Westminster. Andrew loves the beach and we sent his family to St John in the Virgin Islands. His family enjoyed fishing, boating, kayaking and snorkeling during their week stay.
2007
When 15-year-old Philip from
Hyattsville, Md. found out he was eligible receive a wish from the
Make-A-Wish Foundation, he asked to go on a Caribbean cruise with
his family. Their trip was full of surprises, the first one being
the limo that was sent to their house to escort them to the airport!
Once they were aboard the ship, the adventures really began. Their
shore excursions included zip lining in Jamaica, a Mayan trail hike,
and underwater nautilus tour and parasailing. With all of these
exciting activities, they were also able to squeeze in some down
time to kickback and relax on the beach.
Katie, an 8-year-old girl from
Man-chester, Md. battles an illness that does not al-low her to ride
a traditional bike. When she found out she could have a wish granted
by the Make-A-Wish foundation, Katie asked for a special bike that
she would be able to ride Katie’s new bike was revealed at her wish
party, while she was surrounded by friends and family. The shiny
purple bike came complete with a water bottle holder. After Katie
had her pink helmet strapped on tight, she was ready to roll! She
was so excited go to on her first ride, and smiled the entire time.
2005
Eight-year-old Darrien from
Baltimore, MD suffers from a life-threatening medical condition.
More than anything, he wants to be just like all the other kids in
the neighborhood. So, for Darrien’s greatest wish, he chose to have
his very own play set. He even got to pick out exactly what he
wanted on the set; a huge slide, monkey bars, and swings. Ever since
it was installed, at all hours of the day, you can find Darrien in
his backyard playing on it!
Click
here to view a picture and a personal message from Darrien.
Sixteen-year-old Adrian from
Temple Hills, MD has always wanted to walk into a mall and get
anything and everything he wanted. So when he met with volunteers
from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, it was an easy decision to go on a
shopping spree for his greatest wish. He chose to go to
Annapolis mall with his family and in addition, wanted to invite a
special guest. Adrian’s mentor and good family friend lives in
Chicago, IL. So as a special addition to his wish, the Foundation
flew Adrian’s mentor to Maryland to join Adrian on his wish.
Adrian, his family, and mentor were picked up early one morning in a
limousine and taken to Annapolis Mall. Adrian spent the whole day
picking out everything his heart desired, including a computer,
clothes, and shoes. At the end of the day, he was thrilled to have
gone on his first shopping spree and to have shared it with so many
special people in his life.
Click
here to view a picture of Adrian.
2004
Billy, 15, from Columbia, loves
to watch the History Channel and especially anything to do with
WWII. Therefore, it was no surprise when he was asked what his one
special wish would be, that he wished for a trip to Hawaii and to
tour Pearl Harbor. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic,
Inc. sent Billy, his parents and his sister on an all expenses paid
trip to Hawaii, where among many other activities, Billy was given a
personal tour of Pearl Harbor. While at Pearl Harbor, Billy got to
speak with a WWII vet who was also visiting and they had their
picture taken together. The experience was truly a dream come true
for Billy!
While Victoria, 11, of Howard
County, was spending a lot of time in the hospital, she was watching
many home design shows which ultimately gave her the idea for her
special wish. Victoria wished to have her room redecorated, after a
consultation with an interior decorator. Victoria was ready for a
“teenager’s” room, rather than the “babyish” room she had. The
Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. had Victoria
consult with a designer and then redecorated her room including,
flooring, painting, lighting, furniture and accessories. Victoria
now is excited to invite her friends for sleepovers and she
expressed that the results were better than she could have hoped
for!
Ten year-old Kara, from Carroll
County, wished for a family trip to Disney World. Kara wanted to
meet some of her favorite characters, such as Goofy and Lilo &
Stitch. Of course, she also wanted to go on all of the rides and
see fireworks. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic,
Inc., sent Kara, her parents and her brother and sister for an all
expenses paid vacation to Give Kids the World Village in Florida,
where they received a seven day, six night stay, including Park
tickets to Walt Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios Park.
Among many fun and exciting things, Kara got to meet her favorite
characters and go on all of the rides she could imagine!
Seventeen year-old Kim, from
Howard County, wished for “sun and fun” and for her that meant a
“girls” trip to California, including her mom, Aunt and best
friend. Kim visited DisneyLand, Universal Studios (where she got a
back lot tour), had a special character breakfast with Chip & Dale
(which she thought sounded like a lot of fun), and on one of her
free days got to spend the day at Venice Beach, the “highlight” of
the trip. For Kim, her California Adventure was truly a wish come
true!
2003
For eight year-old Steven, playing on
the beach, swimming, and diving are a way of life. It makes sense,
then, when asked what he would like for a wish that he chose to go
to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Steven's wish trip allowed
him to spend quality time with his family, in a spectacular island
setting, and take his mind off of hospitals and medical treatments.
Three year-old Gillian loves going to the park, so it
was no surprise to her parents when she wished for her very own
custom Rainbow playground in her backyard. Thanks to your help, her
dream will come true.
Sixteen year Marc had a dream of being an architect.
Marc received a new computer with architecture software and spends
hours every day working towards his dream.
Like most 13 year-old girls, Michelle loves shopping.
Michelle's greatest wish was to shop till she dropped. After a
stretched limo ride and a day of shopping at Tyson's Corner,
Michelle said, "I had an awesome time and it is definitely a memory
I will never forget!"
2002
Lisa, 11 yrs old of Frederick, MD - Her wish is to
watch an episode of ER being filmed and meet the cast of actors.
Travel date TBD.
Monique "Olivia", 7 yrs
old of Bowie, MD - Her wish is go on a 7-night Disney Cruise. She
hopes to see dolphins, get a massage and spend time alone on the
trip with just her mom and dad. Travel in January.
Kenneth "KJ", 18 yrs old
of Silver Spring, MD - His wish is to travel to New Zealand with his
mother and step-father. While there, he would like to do some day
hiking, black-water rafting trip and bungee jumping. Travel in
December.
2001
Seven year old John, from Harford
County, wished for a swimming pool just like his grandmother and
grandfather had. John loves sports and since he was diagnosed with a
life threatening conditions, which caused him to go legally blind,
swimming is the only sport that John can participate in. John loves
to swim and is taking swimming lessons. Before he got his pool, John
felt left out of sports activities but now his mom says, he loves
his pool and never wants to get out.
Eleven year old Shanell, from
Baltimore, who is fighting a life-threatening illness, loves to shop
and has always dreamed of going to N.Y. and visiting designer shops
and seeing the sights. Shannell’s wish came true when she and her
family were sent to New York City for a shopping spree and the added
treat of attending MTV’s Total Request Live.
$5,000 has been donated, on behalf of
Chad Blum Memorial Charities, to the American Red Cross for disaster
relief efforts in Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.
2000
Seven-year-old Zane from Silver
Spring had his wish come true when he traveled to Disney World in
November. Zane and his family were treated to a six-day, five-night
adventure in the Magic Kingdom.
Fifteen-year-old James from Baltimore
City wished for a shopping spree and was treated to an incredible
day of spending at a local mall where he bought tons of clothes and
a Nintendo PlayStation.
Eleven-year-old Gregory, from
Ellicott City, also had his wish granted which was to go on a
seven-day Disney Cruise in the Caribbean.
1999
Ten-year-old Danny's wish was to meet
his hero, Dallas Cowboy quarterback Troy Aikman. He and the rest of
his Frederick family spent a week in Texas with some extra special
time being spent with Troy.
Because these children cannot
personally thank all those who made their wishes possible, please
accept our appreciation and know that your thoughtfulness will allow
a special child’s dream to come true as well as provide wonderful
and lasting memories for his entire family. You've done a wonderful
thing and should be proud of it. We hope you'll be a part of this
cause for a long time. Again, accept our many thanks and wishes for
a great summer!
