Wish Program

Wishes really do come true at Wishing Star.  To date we've granted over 1,100 wishes.  Wishes in the works- approximately 44 wishes currently in the process of being granted.

Read about wishes from children in Boise chapter.

Alex, 9, neurofibromatosis

Give me one more ride on the midway.
Let me laugh and be gay as a clown
Give me back the world I remember.
One more ride on the merry-go-round.

Judy Collins

 
On Thursday, June 12th Alex lost his 9 year battle with neurofibromatosis.  Alex's wishes were simple. He wanted to meet his grandfather, or go to a petting zoo or listen to a country and western concert. The family traveled to Modesto, CA to see grandpa. They were guests of Modesto and Merced.  Those communities opened their arms and hearts while granting the other two wishes.  So many people took part in the granting of Alex's wish.  One special man is Jerome Pollos, a photo journalist who created this beautiful slide show of Alex's trip.   

Sari, 19, cerebral palsy

NASCAR West Series driver Eric Holmes presents his second place trophy to Sari.

She rode in the BMR NAPA ride car with Holmes. “I told her to give me a thumbs up if she wanted to go faster,” said Holmes who was impressed with the young lady. “I started out taking it easy and I looked and she kept giving me the signal to go faster and faster. It was great to meet Sari. She’s a special girl.”

 Holmes promised her his trophy from the race. Sari was right there in at Victory Lane to accept his second place trophy. She’s been a big fan of the series and never misses the opportunity to watch the NASCAR West Series races on television. It’s been one of her dreams to attend one of the races.

Layne, Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Layne's wish was to watch Gonzaga Bulldogs play basketball in Madison Square Garden. He and his family traveled to New York city in December, 2006. On December 21, he watched Duke Blue Devils beat Gonzaga. He remained a loyal fan, attending a number of local Gonzaga games. Layne passed away on January 14, 2008.

"What an amazing, influencial kid. There are hundreds of kids Layne positively impacted, not only at Coeur d'Alene High School but at Canfield Middle School as well." Mike Nelson, CHS vice principal.

Sarah, myeloblastic leukemia

Sarah lost her battle with myeloblastic leukemia in 2004 before her wish could be granted. Wishing Star donated a bench as a memorial.

“Some friends helped me install Sarah’s bench and plaque on the Snake River canyon rim on July 22, Sarah’s birthday. There is a very nice walking trail, a very nice view.
When our girls were young, my wife and I would frequently take them to the canyon to watch the sun set. When Sarah was a teen, she would drag her friends to the canyon at sunset. She thought it was one of the best activities in Twin Falls on summer evenings.
This picture was taken at sunset the day after we installed the bench. As you can see, the sunset was beautiful. The puzzling thing is that it was full overcast. We could not see the sun. We couldn’t tell when the sun had set. There was no color. It was a dark and gray end to the day. I’m not sure what happened. I tend to want to read something into this phenomenon.
Thank you for your help and generosity. The bench will be a lasting memorial, and will be enjoyed by many.”
John and Becky Dean

Michael, 11, athetotic cerebral palsy and axatia

Michael's wish was to meet Shaun White. Although we were not able to connect with Shaun White, he spent a week at Tamarack Resort as a VIP at the Grand Prix Snowboarding Competition. He hung out with the snowboarders and even got to snowboard with them. Michael helped hand out awards during the awards ceremony.

Michael shared "I was so sad when we left because I loved it there and I loved everyone there too.” Lisa his mother wrote “I can’t thank you enough for granting Michael his wish. It was so much more than we expected. Everyone made him feel so special. We are truly blessed to have you all in our lives.”

Thank you Tamarack Resorts and Tamarack Charter Service for your help with this wish.

On the front Page of the Sports Section in the Idaho Statesman Michael was noted as "taking first in excitement". He helped hand out the prizes.

Robbie, 20, leukemia

Robbie wished for a Disneyland trip with his family.  He had to wait over a year for his wish to come true due to his lengthy treatment, but when the trip finally came, Robbie had the time of his life.

Spencer, 7, cerebral palsy and prenatal stroke

Spencer's wish was to meet the princesses of Disneyland with her family.  They had never been on a vacation together as a family, so this trip to Southern California was a very special experience for them.  Spencer had the time of her life as she had the undivided attention of her family and the characters of Disneyland, Universal Studios and Seaworld.

Konner, 8, neurofibromatosis type I, with optic glioma

This charming young man's wish was to meet Tony Stewart and go to a NASCAR race.  Konnor was all smiles as his wish was granted and he got to meet his hero.