Where Are They Now?
We have granted many wishes to incredible kids throughout the years. And now these kids are growing up and making a difference to all who know them. If you have a special story to tell, we invite you to share your story with us by contacting Berta James at (214)496-9474. We'd love to hear from you!
Suly
Dear Make-A-Wish,
On November 10th, 1993, at the age of four, I was diagnosed with AML. Immediately I was admitted to the hospital to start chemotherapy. This lasted for four months. After 23 cancer-free months of remission, I was diagnosed with the same cancer for the second time.
This time the doctors had to treat me with radiation and a Bone Marrow Transplant. Time was ticking away and my parents had to make a very challenging decision. My younger sister, Zuri, was five-years-old at the time and the best match for my blood type of any of my relatives.
From this point everything happened very quickly. My sister and I were separated as she went through the procedure and was put in the room next to mine. We both still remember seeing our parents go back and forth between our rooms, at times breaking down in hears, something we had never seen before.
Then I got my transplant. Since Zuri wasn’t 100 percent compatible, there were a few problems. Two years after this all began, I was finally well again.
Somewhere during those years, my parents learned about the Make-A-Wish Foundation. My wish was to meet Snow White, she had been the Disney princess that helped me get through everything. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas flew my family to Walt Disney World where I met Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Aurora, Princess Jasmine, Mickey and Minnie and the rest of the Disney crew.
Today I have been cancer-free for 10 years and 12 years since I had my wish come true. I just started my Senior year of High School and I will graduate in May of 2007. I am involved in the television and broadcasting magnet, dance magnet, a capella choir, and show choir. I recently joined SkillsUSA for both advertising and news anchoring and I just got first-place on a Public Service Announcement both regionally and statewide. Most importantly, I am still involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a volunteer in the summer and when I can during the school year.
I am enjoying every day of my life and living it the fullest. Thanks again, Make-A-Wish, for helping my family come together for one week, making my wish come true, and letting my thoughts grow wild outside the hospital doors!
Sulyana Guerrero
Jorge
I was diagnosed with a cancer known as Hodgkin's Disease when I was sixteen years old. The doctors found the cancer in an advanced stage and gave me a prognosis of two months to live. When the two months were up, the doctors told me that about 98 percent of the cancer was gone! I ended up going for chemotherapy and radiation treatments for 13 months.
In 1998, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted me a wish. I wished for my family to go to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. We were lucky to go on the Wish Flight sponsored by American Airlines.
I am now in remission and attend college majoring in premed. One day I hope to become a pediatric oncologist so that I can help children who have to go through the terrible ordeal I experienced.
Jorge
Keri
My name is Keri, I live in Longview and I am a bone cancer survivor. In December of 1998, I was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma. I had to have my right leg amputated.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation made a very positive impact in my life and my family's life. My wish was to go to Walt Disney World in Florida. They made my wish come true in July of 2000. We stayed at Give Kids the World village and visited Sea World, Universal Studios and Animal Kingdom. This was the best vacation my family ever had!
Keri and family at Walt Disney World in 2000
I am now eleven years old and just finished sixth grade. I am also in the gifted and talented program at my middle school. I have a twin brother and an older sister in college.
I want to be an actress and am taking acting classes in Tyler, Texas. I also play the trumpet in my school band. I love to read and I like to play basketball with my brother.
When I grow up I would like to be a prosthetic doctor. I can help children who wear prosthesis because I know how they feel when things go wrong with it. When new ideas come out for a prosthesis, I can try it out first and then share it with my patients.
Keri
