Wish Volunteers Bring Gift of Hope
Indianapolis, IN, July 01, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Keondia is a vivacious 12-year-old girl who loves listening to the Jonas Brothers, going shopping and playing her X-Box. The Granger native who is battling Acute Myelogenous Leukemia will have her heartfelt wish granted—a trip to Walt Disney World—thanks to Holly Huffman and John Church, wish-granting volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, Indiana Region.
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a type of blood cancer, leaves Keondia feeling tired, weak and short of breath and puts her in dangerous increase in the risk for infection. Huffman, who has volunteered on several wishes, enjoys meeting courageous kids like Keondia who are fighting exhausting battles against their diseases.
“Keondia is a bright, artistic, young girl with a smile that lights up a room. She has battled her disease with such amazing strength, thanks in part to her family and especially her mom Teresa. I am honored to have met the family and I am absolutely ecstatic to have played a part in granting her wish.” says Huffman. This was the first wish-granting experience for Church.
“Once we train our volunteers, we send them out on their first few wishes with a mentor who can show them how to interact with the family, complete the paperwork and coordinate with wish program managers in granting the wish,” remarked Executive Director Juli Miller.
Keondia and her family will stay at the Give Kids the World resort, which is a non-profit organization that hosts medically-fragile children while they are enjoying magical vacations at Disney.
“We took care of all of the vacation planning from making travel preparations and dinner reservations to arranging for airport transportation. The only thing the family has to do is pack,” commented Miller.
Keondia’s family recently met with Huffman and Church who provided them with a complete itinerary. “Part of being a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, is being a witness to the joy a child has when they realize their wish is coming true. Seeing that smile, and their excitement – that feeling is indescribable” says Huffman.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Indiana Region currently has 252 seriously-ill children on its waiting list for wishes. Wish-granting volunteers and financial support are needed to make their wishes come true.
Volunteer opportunities with the Make-A-Wish Foundation are currently available in all areas of Indiana. Visit www.makeawishindiana.org or call (317) 636-6060.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana is celebrating 25 years of inspiring lives, one wish at a time. Since the first wish was granted in 1984, this chapter has granted more than 7,400 magical wishes. This milestone year, the chapter will work to fulfill the wishes of a record-breaking 800 local children. There are so many ways that you can help create joyful moments for local wish children. Find out how at www.makeawishindiana.org.
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Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a type of blood cancer, leaves Keondia feeling tired, weak and short of breath and puts her in dangerous increase in the risk for infection. Huffman, who has volunteered on several wishes, enjoys meeting courageous kids like Keondia who are fighting exhausting battles against their diseases.
“Keondia is a bright, artistic, young girl with a smile that lights up a room. She has battled her disease with such amazing strength, thanks in part to her family and especially her mom Teresa. I am honored to have met the family and I am absolutely ecstatic to have played a part in granting her wish.” says Huffman. This was the first wish-granting experience for Church.
“Once we train our volunteers, we send them out on their first few wishes with a mentor who can show them how to interact with the family, complete the paperwork and coordinate with wish program managers in granting the wish,” remarked Executive Director Juli Miller.
Keondia and her family will stay at the Give Kids the World resort, which is a non-profit organization that hosts medically-fragile children while they are enjoying magical vacations at Disney.
“We took care of all of the vacation planning from making travel preparations and dinner reservations to arranging for airport transportation. The only thing the family has to do is pack,” commented Miller.
Keondia’s family recently met with Huffman and Church who provided them with a complete itinerary. “Part of being a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, is being a witness to the joy a child has when they realize their wish is coming true. Seeing that smile, and their excitement – that feeling is indescribable” says Huffman.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Indiana Region currently has 252 seriously-ill children on its waiting list for wishes. Wish-granting volunteers and financial support are needed to make their wishes come true.
Volunteer opportunities with the Make-A-Wish Foundation are currently available in all areas of Indiana. Visit www.makeawishindiana.org or call (317) 636-6060.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana is celebrating 25 years of inspiring lives, one wish at a time. Since the first wish was granted in 1984, this chapter has granted more than 7,400 magical wishes. This milestone year, the chapter will work to fulfill the wishes of a record-breaking 800 local children. There are so many ways that you can help create joyful moments for local wish children. Find out how at www.makeawishindiana.org.
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Contact
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana
Nancy Whetstone
(614) 923-0555
www.makeawishohio.org
Nancy Whetstone
(614) 923-0555
www.makeawishohio.org
Contact
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