Dear Make-A-Wish,

I am unable to express my thanks to you for giving me the vacation of a lifetime. I had an absolutely amazing time in Hawaii. Thank you for all your hard work in planning and paying for such an incredible trip. Without your generosity, my family never would have been able to have a vacation as wonderful as this one.

Firstly, thank you for flying me out to Hawaii! Simply being able to visit a place as awe-inspiring as Hawaii is a gift that goes beyond description. The islands are more beautiful than I ever could have imagined, and I am so thankful I was able to see them. I find it unbelievable that a place can contain mountains, deserts, rainforests, volcanoes and waterfalls all within miles of each other! The islands renewed my respect for nature and its beauty.

The excursions you created for us turned our vacation from amazing to surreal. All of the companies you worked with were excellent - they were organized and friendly and they improved our vacation tenfold. The snorkling in Molokini was my favorite. Swimming in the reefs with all of the exotic fish was the most unreal thing I have ever experienced - I felt like I was in a totally different, perfect world. I will never forget it.

The horseback trip through the breathtaking Waipio Valley rocked! I've always wanted to try horseback riding, and Waipio was absolutely the perfect place to start! The valley was absolutely stunning - its cliffs were enormous and contained countless waterfalls. Making the trip through the valley on horseback made it even cooler!

I don't know how I can possibly express how thankful I am to you. I am still shocked that I got to go to Hawaii. Being sick was the worst thing that has ever happened to me, and I would never want to face all of the pain and fear I endured during my illness. However, thanks to Make-A-Wish, I feel like I've more than made up for what I missed during my illness. It means so much to me that people care enough to give happiness and life to ill children. Your organization has my view of the world dramatically improve.

Thank you again and again and AGAIN for all of your hours spent planning my trip, and for all of the generous donations that paid for it. You have given me wonderful memories that will last a lifetime and for more than I could ever wish for.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!
Emily



Emily's Mom writes...

Dear Make-A-Wish,

Where do we begin to adequately express our thanks to you for granting our daughter's wish to visit Hawaii? While in Hawaii, Emily wanted to go to the waterfalls and beaches, experience snorkling and ride horses. Not only did you fulfill all of those wishes, but so many more with the beautiful vacation you gave to her and to our family.

As most parents, we have always been grateful to be blessed with two wonderful children. We have always believed that they are very unique and that we are extremely fortunate to have them. Over the course of Emily's illness, this belief has taken on a much deeper and multi-faceted meaning. During the last year and a half, we have wanted to tell everyone how extraordinary this "survivor" of ours is, and how much she has overcome. Emily is a very private person and has not wanted to make her illness known to any of her new friends (since moving on to the high school) or teachers. Consequently, as parents, we have tried to remain quiet about her illness so that others will not come to know her as "the girl who has cancer."

Make-A-Wish has recognized her in a quiet way be presenting her with the wish she dreamed of without making an announcement concerning her illness. We are so thankful to Make-A-Wish and to their supporters for making Emily and all of us feel so special. Emily, and other children like her, can realize that they matter, not only to their families, but to friends, community members and to those who have never even met them, such as the caring people involved in the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Our very deepest thanks to all of those responsible for such a wonderful trip and especially for providing our family with such a rewarding, memorable time together. More than likely, it will go down as our best family vacation ever and will certainly remain a very cherished memory.

Wish warmest regards,
Emily's family