For 37 years, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, wish.org/sfla, has been changing lives and granting wishes longer than some of us have been alive. Through generous donors — they receive no government funding — wishes come true, from meeting a celebrity to traveling with family to an exotic locale. The Make-A-Wish chapter has granted more than 12,000 wishes since 1983.
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Adrian Carralero-Cruz Naples • Age: 4 The wish: Adrian loves fire trucks, so Make-A-Wish redecorated his room in the theme, from the bedding to the lamps and even the wallpaper. The big reveal came in October when real firefighters riding real Naples fire trucks brought more gifts, including a real fire hose.
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Adrian Carralero-Cruz Naples • Age: 4 The wish: Adrian loves fire trucks, so Make-A-Wish redecorated his room in the theme, from the bedding to the lamps and even the wallpaper. The big reveal came in October when real firefighters riding real Naples fire trucks brought more gifts, including a real fire hose.
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Adrian Carralero-Cruz Naples • Age: 4 The wish: Adrian loves fire trucks, so Make-A-Wish redecorated his room in the theme, from the bedding to the lamps and even the wallpaper. The big reveal came in October when real firefighters riding real Naples fire trucks brought more gifts, including a real fire hose.
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Adrian Carralero-Cruz Naples • Age: 4 The wish: Adrian loves fire trucks, so Make-A-Wish redecorated his room in the theme, from the bedding to the lamps and even the wallpaper. The big reveal came in October when real firefighters riding real Naples fire trucks brought more gifts, including a real fire hose.
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Adrian Carralero-Cruz Naples • Age: 4 The wish: Adrian loves fire trucks, so Make-A-Wish redecorated his room in the theme, from the bedding to the lamps and even the wallpaper. The big reveal came in October when real firefighters riding real Naples fire trucks brought more gifts, including a real fire hose.
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Adrian Carralero-Cruz Naples • Age: 4 The wish: Adrian loves fire trucks, so Make-A-Wish redecorated his room in the theme, from the bedding to the lamps and even the wallpaper. The big reveal came in October when real firefighters riding real Naples fire trucks brought more gifts, including a real fire hose.
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Adrian Carralero-Cruz Naples • Age: 4 The wish: Adrian loves fire trucks, so Make-A-Wish redecorated his room in the theme, from the bedding to the lamps and even the wallpaper. The big reveal came in October when real firefighters riding real Naples fire trucks brought more gifts, including a real fire hose.
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Adrian Carralero-Cruz Naples • Age: 4 The wish: Adrian loves fire trucks, so Make-A-Wish redecorated his room in the theme, from the bedding to the lamps and even the wallpaper. The big reveal came in October when real firefighters riding real Naples fire trucks brought more gifts, including a real fire hose.
Even with COVID-19, the mission hasn’t stopped. Make-A-Wish is still fulfilling wishes for critically ill kiddos. Despite the virus still rocking our nation and world, the Southern Florida chapter has found creative and innovative ways of making wishes come true. And these wishes change lives.
The wishes give sick children a chance to free themselves for a moment — time to forget the machines, the therapy, the medication that makes them sick to their stomachs. Thanks to donors, a child gets a little happiness.
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Eric Martinez Naples • Age: 15 The wish: Shopping spree. Because his condition also required online shopping, the car parade made his delivery, too. On his list: an iPhone, smart TV, video games and gift cards to his favorite stores.
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Eric Martinez Naples • Age: 15 The wish: Shopping spree. Because his condition also required online shopping, the car parade made his delivery, too. On his list: an iPhone, smart TV, video games and gift cards to his favorite stores.
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Eric Martinez Naples • Age: 15 The wish: Shopping spree. Because his condition also required online shopping, the car parade made his delivery, too. On his list: an iPhone, smart TV, video games and gift cards to his favorite stores.
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Eric Martinez Naples • Age: 15 The wish: Shopping spree. Because his condition also required online shopping, the car parade made his delivery, too. On his list: an iPhone, smart TV, video games and gift cards to his favorite stores.
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Eric Martinez Naples • Age: 15 The wish: Shopping spree. Because his condition also required online shopping, the car parade made his delivery, too. On his list: an iPhone, smart TV, video games and gift cards to his favorite stores.
The kids
The stories are so incredible, you want to cry. I recently spoke with Stu Opperman, the media relations point man at Make-A-Wish Foundation Southern Florida. He took me through quite a bit of the information of what's been going on with the foundation and the lives that it has touched. Lives like that of 15-year-old Eric Martinez.
Last year he found out that he had acute lymphocytic leukemia. Imagine being a sophomore in high school and getting the news that you have cancer. When I spoke to Eric, he was very pleased with his experience with Make-A-Wish. I felt honored to speak to such a vibrant and strong young man. He recounted the days, not long ago, when medication and treatment robbed him of attending high school. Smiling, he told me how much the Make-A-Wish Foundation gift meant to him. Eric said that Make-A-Wish gives hope and comfort to a situation that is anything but. He says the experience was the boost he needed to be encouraged.
Eric received a drive-thru shopping spree with his mom, Guadalupe, and his siblings, at his side. When asked if he wanted anything else, he said, no, that’s what he wanted all along.
Eric tells me he’s now in remission.
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Kinsley Peacock North Venice • Age: 6 The wish: A Disney cruise. At 5 years old, Kinsley had spent a year coping with cancer. Make-A-Wish gave her a big send off in December 2019 with a unicorn-themed party.
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Kinsley Peacock North Venice • Age: 6 The wish: A Disney cruise. At 5 years old, Kinsley had spent a year coping with cancer. Make-A-Wish gave her a big send off in December 2019 with a unicorn-themed party.
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Kinsley Peacock North Venice • Age: 6 The wish: A Disney cruise. At 5 years old, Kinsley had spent a year coping with cancer. Make-A-Wish gave her a big send off in December 2019 with a unicorn-themed party.
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Kinsley Peacock North Venice • Age: 6 The wish: A Disney cruise. At 5 years old, Kinsley had spent a year coping with cancer. Make-A-Wish gave her a big send off in December 2019 with a unicorn-themed party.
A surprising effect of Make-A-Wish is that the feeling of giving is contagious. Take the case of Kinsley Peacock.
In 2018, the Peacock family’s world turned upside down when their beautiful girl was diagnosed with a retinoblastoma tumor in her right eye. In April 2020, she rang the bell after completing treatment and is now cancer-free.
Between visits back and forth to Miami for treatments, dealing with baldness and the effects of chemotherapy, Kinsley was thinking of others. While making cookies with her family one day, Kinsley, only 6 years old, said she wanted to sell cookies to help the children in the hospital. Kinsley’s Cookie Cart was born. In fact, just this year she fulfilled a wish for 4-year-old Andrew Coulter with a curly-haired, honey-brown goldendoodle pup.
Kinsley’s dad, Adam Peacock, says Kinsley finds importance in helping other sick kids. Helping someone feel better, makes her feel better. Now the family pays it forward through Make-A-Wish. In addition to the cookies, they’ve created a website to help educate and raise money: kinsleyscookiecart.org.
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Elizabeth Garcia Naples • Age: 16 The wish: To enjoy a shopping spree. Because her condition required online shopping, Make-A-Wish surprised her by delivering her dream purchases via car parade. On her shopping list: a MacBook Air laptop, AirPods, clothes, shoes, makeup and accessories.
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Elizabeth Garcia Naples • Age: 16 The wish: To enjoy a shopping spree. Because her condition required online shopping, Make-A-Wish surprised her by delivering her dream purchases via car parade. On her shopping list: a MacBook Air laptop, AirPods, clothes, shoes, makeup and accessories.
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Elizabeth Garcia Naples • Age: 16 The wish: To enjoy a shopping spree. Because her condition required online shopping, Make-A-Wish surprised her by delivering her dream purchases via car parade. On her shopping list: a MacBook Air laptop, AirPods, clothes, shoes, makeup and accessories.
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Elizabeth Garcia Naples • Age: 16 The wish: To enjoy a shopping spree. Because her condition required online shopping, Make-A-Wish surprised her by delivering her dream purchases via car parade. On her shopping list: a MacBook Air laptop, AirPods, clothes, shoes, makeup and accessories.
The leadership
The people who run our region’s Make-A-Wish chapter tend to stay with the organization for many years.
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida President and CEO Norman Wedderburn has been with the organization for 22 years (almost 23), from volunteer to a board member, and then CEO. He spoke of the impact of the donors in this area (the group is funded entirely by private donations) and he wanted the public to know that all funds received in this area stay in this area to fulfill wishes for the children in our community.
Although the organization has had to postpone travel and large gatherings — components of wishes that were common before COVID-19 — it continues to fulfill wishes and change lives for sick children.
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Andrew Coulter Bradenton • Age: 4 The wish: Andrew wished for a puppy because his favorite show is “Paw Patrol.” Fellow cancer survivor Kinsley Peacock delivered Ryker, a mini goldendoodle, along with a crate, bed and other supplies. The wish also came with vet care.
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Andrew Coulter Bradenton • Age: 4 The wish: Andrew wished for a puppy because his favorite show is “Paw Patrol.” Fellow cancer survivor Kinsley Peacock delivered Ryker, a mini goldendoodle, along with a crate, bed and other supplies. The wish also came with vet care.
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Andrew Coulter Bradenton • Age: 4 The wish: Andrew wished for a puppy because his favorite show is “Paw Patrol.” Fellow cancer survivor Kinsley Peacock delivered Ryker, a mini goldendoodle, along with a crate, bed and other supplies. The wish also came with vet care.
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Andrew Coulter Bradenton • Age: 4 The wish: Andrew wished for a puppy because his favorite show is “Paw Patrol.” Fellow cancer survivor Kinsley Peacock delivered Ryker, a mini goldendoodle, along with a crate, bed and other supplies. The wish also came with vet care.
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Andrew Coulter Bradenton • Age: 4 The wish: Andrew wished for a puppy because his favorite show is “Paw Patrol.” Fellow cancer survivor Kinsley Peacock delivered Ryker, a mini goldendoodle, along with a crate, bed and other supplies. The wish also came with vet care.
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Andrew Coulter Bradenton • Age: 4 The wish: Andrew wished for a puppy because his favorite show is “Paw Patrol.” Fellow cancer survivor Kinsley Peacock delivered Ryker, a mini goldendoodle, along with a crate, bed and other supplies. The wish also came with vet care.
During Norman’s tenure, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida surpassed the 10,000 wish mark, and he credits donors. At an average wish cost of $6,000, that’s a lot of donations.
“The greatest thing is the people. On a daily basis, I am reminded of how many good people there still are in the world,” Norman says.
When asked what is special about the Southern Florida chapter, he says, “the uniqueness of the Southern Florida chapter of MAW is that there is such an incredible supportive donor community. They are loyal.”
To date, there has never been a lack of funds, he says. The staff and volunteers are loyal, too. The seniority of the leadership team speaks to this, and the volunteers exhibit stick-to-it-iveness characteristics, as many have been a part of more than 200 wishes.
The Southern Florida chapter has expanded several times and has been asked to assist other territories with struggling chapters. They have never declined, Norman says, coming up with over $1 million to assist other chapters and ensure that no child is unable to get their wish.
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Adele Ayuso Fort Myers • Age: 5 The wish: Adele has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures. She wished for a hot tub to help improve her range of motion, reduce pain and help her sleep.
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Adele Ayuso Fort Myers • Age: 5 The wish: Adele has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures. She wished for a hot tub to help improve her range of motion, reduce pain and help her sleep.
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Adele Ayuso Fort Myers • Age: 5 The wish: Adele has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures. She wished for a hot tub to help improve her range of motion, reduce pain and help her sleep.
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Adele Ayuso Fort Myers • Age: 5 The wish: Adele has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures. She wished for a hot tub to help improve her range of motion, reduce pain and help her sleep.
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Adele Ayuso Fort Myers • Age: 5 The wish: Adele has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures. She wished for a hot tub to help improve her range of motion, reduce pain and help her sleep.
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Adele Ayuso Fort Myers • Age: 5 The wish: Adele has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures. She wished for a hot tub to help improve her range of motion, reduce pain and help her sleep.
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Adele Ayuso Fort Myers • Age: 5 The wish: Adele has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures. She wished for a hot tub to help improve her range of motion, reduce pain and help her sleep.
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Adele Ayuso Fort Myers • Age: 5 The wish: Adele has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures. She wished for a hot tub to help improve her range of motion, reduce pain and help her sleep.
The goal
The ultimate goal of Make-A-Wish is not only to grant wishes, but to change lives, to give children and their families a mental boost to help give them the strength to push forward.
Studies show that children who receive a wish, get a boost to their mental and emotional health. It's not so much the material wish, it's not so much the possession that the child receives, but the experience, a reprieve from focusing on pain. There's something about making a wish and receiving it that allows the body to feel better — the mental health to be stronger and more positive.
Many people have the misconception that these wishes are only for children who are terminally ill and will soon die. That does happen, but many wish recipients are not terminal and go on to become wish grantees later in life.
A wish gives a child something to look forward to. As one of the wish recipients told Stu, the best part of making a wish is that he felt normal. Having something to look forward to, being a normal kid, and having fun is all the goal of having a wish fulfilled.
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Renel Calixte Naples • Age: 14 The wish: A drum set. Renel loved to play in church and for his family, but his set at home was broken. So Make-A-Wish took him to an FGCU men’s basketball game against North Alabama last February. At halftime, they surprised him by wheeling onto the court a new drum set. His wish came true with lots of fans to cheer him on.
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Renel Calixte Naples • Age: 14 The wish: A drum set. Renel loved to play in church and for his family, but his set at home was broken. So Make-A-Wish took him to an FGCU men’s basketball game against North Alabama last February. At halftime, they surprised him by wheeling onto the court a new drum set. His wish came true with lots of fans to cheer him on.
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Renel Calixte Naples • Age: 14 The wish: A drum set. Renel loved to play in church and for his family, but his set at home was broken. So Make-A-Wish took him to an FGCU men’s basketball game against North Alabama last February. At halftime, they surprised him by wheeling onto the court a new drum set. His wish came true with lots of fans to cheer him on.
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Renel Calixte Naples • Age: 14 The wish: A drum set. Renel loved to play in church and for his family, but his set at home was broken. So Make-A-Wish took him to an FGCU men’s basketball game against North Alabama last February. At halftime, they surprised him by wheeling onto the court a new drum set. His wish came true with lots of fans to cheer him on.
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Renel Calixte Naples • Age: 14 The wish: A drum set. Renel loved to play in church and for his family, but his set at home was broken. So Make-A-Wish took him to an FGCU men’s basketball game against North Alabama last February. At halftime, they surprised him by wheeling onto the court a new drum set. His wish came true with lots of fans to cheer him on.
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Renel Calixte Naples • Age: 14 The wish: A drum set. Renel loved to play in church and for his family, but his set at home was broken. So Make-A-Wish took him to an FGCU men’s basketball game against North Alabama last February. At halftime, they surprised him by wheeling onto the court a new drum set. His wish came true with lots of fans to cheer him on.
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Renel Calixte Naples • Age: 14 The wish: A drum set. Renel loved to play in church and for his family, but his set at home was broken. So Make-A-Wish took him to an FGCU men’s basketball game against North Alabama last February. At halftime, they surprised him by wheeling onto the court a new drum set. His wish came true with lots of fans to cheer him on.
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Renel Calixte Naples • Age: 14 The wish: A drum set. Renel loved to play in church and for his family, but his set at home was broken. So Make-A-Wish took him to an FGCU men’s basketball game against North Alabama last February. At halftime, they surprised him by wheeling onto the court a new drum set. His wish came true with lots of fans to cheer him on.
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Renel Calixte Naples • Age: 14 The wish: A drum set. Renel loved to play in church and for his family, but his set at home was broken. So Make-A-Wish took him to an FGCU men’s basketball game against North Alabama last February. At halftime, they surprised him by wheeling onto the court a new drum set. His wish came true with lots of fans to cheer him on.
How it works
- Many wish kids get referred by their medical team, but they can also be referred by family members or even themselves.
- When a referral is received, Make-A-Wish verifies eligibility.
- The child must be older than 2½ and younger than 18, have a diagnosed critical illness, live or be treated in the organization’s territory and not have received a wish before.