Make-A-Wish® MichiganWith Our Best Wishes ~ Fall 2012

www.michigan.wish.org

From the minute Bennet learned of his wish coming true, you could see the magic on his face.

Bennet’s wish continues on Page 10

INSIDE:We had a ball with our milestone 7,000th wish; And wow, WAM was amazing! Pages 4 & 6

Journeys & dreamsWish child Bennet experiences the magic of a wish come trueA note from Bennet’s momWhen Bennet’s wish was granted I originally had mixed emotions. On the one hand, no one actually wants to qualify for a wish; on the other, you hope it happens because you know it will mean a lot to your child. After Bennet’s Walt Disney World wish was granted, we made a countdown calendar for the kids and each morning the first thing they would do was mark off the last day and recount how many days there were left. They’d look at the pictures we’d printed of Disney World, Give Kids the World Village and an airplane and talk about what they wanted to do or what it would be like. No one was thinking of hospitals or doctors visits. All the daily care was overshadowed by the excitement of the trip. The trip itself was of course even better than anything we could have dreamed up. The kids had never experienced anything like it. While the medical equipment, medicine and daily care came with us, for some reason it just didn’t seem as hard to do.

W i s h g r a n t i n g : A l a s t i n g l e g a c y

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“Our family had an amazing time creating a memory that won’t be forgotten. The experience makes you feel special and loved! Experiencing a wish is an overwhelming thing. The thought that funds donated by the generosity of people made our trip possible is such an honor, and we greatly appreciate the entire experience.” ~ wish kid Ethan’s family

Wishes allow children to dream in the midst of very challenging and tough physical battles. And they give an emotional boost and sense of control when wish children feel like they have none. Wishes make the seemingly impossible become reality and share a sense of magic with all involved!

Yet it takes more than waving a wand in the air to make them come true. It takes a community of support,selfless contributions of time and money, and caring hearts to provide children with their heartfelt wishes. Make-A-Wish Michigan is tremendously fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers and support-ers actively involved in making wishes come true. You make a difference – and we are grateful for the immense support that has made 7,000 wishes possible in our Michigan community since 1984.

We now have the privilege of having two wish children as members of our Make-A-Wish professional staff team. These young women, Ellie and Christie, provide warm and compassionate service to our wonderful wish families and provide an incredible testament to the power of a wish and its ability to impact and change lives forever.

In the year ahead, we will grant unique and special wishes for hundreds more Michigan children when they most need the hope, strength and joy a wish provides. Enjoy reading about some of our recent wishes in this latest newsletter, and please consider joining us as a wish granting volunteer or at an upcoming Make-A-Wish event or activity as we celebrate the magic of wishes with our amazing kids and families. Together, we all have the power to grant a wish®!

With our gratitude and appreciation,

Jim Berline Karen DavisChairman of the Board President & CEO

Dear Make-A-Wish friends,

Left and middle: Wish kids and now Make-A-Wish staff, Ellie and Christie. Right: Karen Davis,

Make-A-Wish President & CEO, joined in the fun at Best Buy for Cayden’s shopping spree.

Cayden, 14, is from Laingsburg.

What a year of making sporting dreams come true for our Michigan wish kids! Sixteen-year-old Champlin, from Grand Rapids, and his family attended the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament in April. Champ has good company when it comes to championship wishes. Earlier this year wish kid James went to the Super Bowl, and this summer, Michelle went to the Olympics. See page 7 for Michelle’s story.

Hope, Strength & Joy

Wish Impact Study

Championship wishes

The Impact of WishesIn the recent nationalsurvey of wish families, volunteers and medical professionals, 98% of parents felt the wish experience gave them the opportunity to be a “normal” family again, and 97% said the wish experience strengthenedtheir families. The impactof a wish goes far beyond the wish itself as 92% of parents saw their children experience re-empowerment to take back the ability to make decisions in their lives.Study conducted by consulting partner, TCC Group.

2 With Our Best Wishes Fall 2012

Make-A-Wish MichiganKaren DavisPresident & CEO

Kimberle MillerExecutive Assistant

Shared ServicesJen BoanVolunteer Services Manager

Laura Varon BrownDirector of Communications & Public Relations

Meghan MairCommunity Relations Manager

Ashley PostVolunteer Services Manager

Development & PhilanthropyEllie AndrusCommunity Development Manager

Nanci BallantyneMajor Gifts Director

Jennifer ConneryCOO/Vice President of Philanthropy

Kedrin GallStewardship Manager

Janelle GunnWAM Tour Director

Meghann McEvoyDonor Services Coordinator

Lauren MetzendorfGrants & In-Kind Manager, pt

Julie PendellSenior Director of Philanthropy

Kelli Jo PeltierWAM Logistics Manager

Susan SmithCommunity Development Manager

Champlin’s Adopt-A-Wish sponsors: Greg and Meg Willit

2012-13 Volunteer Board of Directors ChairmanJim BerlineChairman – BERLINEBloomfield Hills Vice ChairJanette FerrantinoCommunity VolunteerAnn Arbor SecretaryMeg Miller WillitCommunity VolunteerGrandville TreasurerJohn LalloCFO & Vice PresidentRoskam Baking Co.Grand Rapids

Board Members Shirlee BobrykAttorney/Shareholder White, Schneider, Young & Chiodini P.C.Okemos Rob CasalouPresident & CEO St. Joseph Mercy HospitalsYpsilanti Karen CusterOwner, Custer Workplace InteriorsGrand Rapids Christine Farah LeboldChief Operating OfficerLSG Insurance PartnersBloomfield Hills Deborah GrayAssociate Professor of MarketingCentral Michigan UniversityMt. Pleasant Rich HarshbargerVP Consumer Marketing & CommunicationsDetroit Media PartnershipDetroit Steve HeacockSenior VP, Community Relations Spectrum HealthGrand Rapids Susan JandernoaCommunity VolunteerGrand Rapids Scott MillerPartner, UHY Advisors, LLP Sterling Heights David MorlockSenior Vice PresidentAccretive HealthJackson Jelka PetrovicPresident & CEOUnited Healthcare of MichiganSouthfield Walter F. “Chip” PerschbacherVice PresidentGreenridge Realty, Inc.Grand Rapids Gregory Yanik, M.D.Professor of Pediatrics University of MichiganAnn Arbor Joe ZinitiSenior Vice PresidentPenske Automotive GroupBloomfield Hills Trustee EmeritusDon HamiltonPresident, Hamilton Chevrolet, Inc.Warren Medical AdvisorJames Fahner, M.D.Division Chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Helen DeVos Children’s HospitalGrand Rapids Ex OfficioKaren DavisPresident & CEOMake-A-Wish Michigan

Share the power of a wish®!

Adopt-A-Wish creates dreams and friendshipsThe Adopt-A-Wish program allows you, your family, your business and your organizationor student group to be paired with a child’s wish and have the opportunity to become connected to a wish experience. With your generous gift of $5,000 or more, you have the power to restore smiles and laughter to a child facing a life-threatening medical condition by granting one simple, most desired wish.

Send holiday wish greetingsDuring the holidays we have a warm and wonderful tradition to help spread holiday cheer in the most joyful of ways – through the eyes of wish children. Again this holiday season you can purchase holiday cards with a fun and magical greeting drawn by a Michigan wish child.

For more details on our holiday card program, simply go to www.wishmich.org/seasonofwishes You can also call or email Dawn Antonelli at 734.994.8620 or dantonelli@wishmich.org.

Send a greeting and share the power of a wish®!

Holiday giving that gives backMacy’s has been a special partner in granting wishes since 2003. Macy’s Thanks for Sharing and Believe campaigns together raised more than $200,000 for the Michigan chapter last holiday season.

Macy’s customers have the opportunity to participate in these programs again in 2012. Thanks for Sharing – which is a rewards card program that gives to Make-A-Wish and gives back to Macy’s shoppers – kicks off in September. Customers can enroll in all Macy’s stores.

• Wednesday, November 28, 2012: The magical Santa Bus Tour comes to Michigan this year with a stop at Macy’s Port Huron. For more details, go to www.wishmich.org/seasonofwishes

• Friday, December 14, 2012: National Believe Day

What medicine does for the body, a wish does for the soul.

Through the Adopt-A-Wish program, 7-year-old Matthew is enjoying his backyard playset thanks to his new friends and sponsor, Amway Corporation.

Cards feature wish kid art like this from Madie!

Our mission Make-A-Wish Michigan grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Fall 2012 With Our Best Wishes 3

• Make-A-Wish Michigan will provide you with a story about an adopted wish so you can see how your contribution brings joy to a courageous wish child.

• If your business or organization is interested in adopting a wish, contact Julie Pendell at 800.622.9474 or jpendell@wishmich.org.

• If you are interested in adopting a wish as an individual or family, please contact Nanci Ballantyne at 800.622.9474 or nballantyne@wishmich.org.

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Referrals: We rely on our supporters, including individuals, companies, volunteers & healthcare professionals to help us bring hope, strength and joy to our wish kids and their families. If you know a child who is in need of our services, please encourage the family, child or health professional to call 800.622.9474. Together, we

can share the power of a wish® and make dreams come true for courageous Michigan children.

Wish child Saria experienced the birthday of a lifetime when she celebrated her 5th birthday at the Walt Disney World® Resort in April. Saria’s wish was the 7,000th wish granted by Make-A-Wish Michigan. Before she set off for her Disney adventure, Saria was the Belle of the Ball at Wish Ball 2012 in Grand Rapids. Guests were delighted as Saria charmed the crowd and soaked in the glamour of a day of pampering and evening of magic.

Saria’s mom, Crystal, said Saria has certainly been impacted by her wish. “Saria thought it was so cool being the center of attention. Now when she sees anything with Make-A-Wish on it, she gets so excited and says, ‘Make-A-Wish, that’s ME!’”

Saria was diagnosed on January 2, 2010 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Crystal said that “Saria has embraced her condition

and taken it in stride.” “She is an enthusiastic little girl who is always trying to keep up with the other children and go to school.”

At Disney, Saria loved swimming in the pool at Give Kids the World Village. Even dad Matt got in the water. Crystal said in all their years of marriage, this was the first she’d seen him in a pool! But it was meeting her favorite Princess Belle that captivated little Saria. When asked to describe her wish in one word she said, “Awesome!”

“It is such a change from appointment after appointment. This experience can help kids forget, even if only for a little while, that they are sick. That is an amazing thing, the temporary forgetfulness, especially for the parents,” Crystal said. “Getting to look back at the pictures and remembering the experiences we were able to have is a great feeling!”

A special thank you is given to our generous sponsors for a magical Wish Ball, chaired by Meg and Greg Willit and honoring Dr. Jim and Gail Fahner. It was a wonderful evening as we granted our 7,000th wish to Saria – and surpassed our fundraising goal. We couldn’t have done it without you – our friends, event sponsors and amazing donors.

Thank you to our 2012 sponsors

Wish Ball Sponsor

Hope Sponsors Daniel and Pamella DeVos FoundationDouglas and Maria DeVosDave and Carol Van Andel Greg and Meg Willit

Strength Sponsors Advanced Radiology ServicesHansen Balk Steel Treating CoPaul and Sheryl HaverkateMike and Sue JandernoaJim and Ginger JurriesJohn and Nancy Kennedy MeijerMichigan State University College of Human Medicine PerrigoCindy and Michael PettiboneRothbury FarmsSmith Haughey Rice & Roegge

Saria puts a magical touch on milestone… and had a ball!

Photos: ©2012 Mary Taber Photography

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Left: Wish Ball Co-Chairs Greg and Meg Willit enjoy the evening with honorees Dr. Jim and Gail Fahner. Right: The magical night for wish child Saria (center) and her sisters was topped off with a little fairy dust.

Left: Saria was the belle of the ball at Wish Ball 2012. Middle: “Silly Saria” is what her mom, Crystal, calls this photo. Right: What a precious moment when Saria realized Princess Belle was coming just to see her!

Finance & Operations

Dawn AntonelliOffice Administrator

Laura OlsonSenior Manager

of Operations

Kim WagnerDirector of Finance

and Operations

As Oliver bravely battled neuroblastoma, he was looking forward to his wish coming true – a shopping spree to Toys R Us in Grand Rapids. Oliver planned it for the day of his 6th birthday so it would be extra special. What Oliver didn’t know was that friends and colleagues who work at Hope College with his dad, Derek, were working hard to make the day even more magical for him. It started out as a plan for a few friends to hold birthday signs as Oliver left his house for his wish. And unbeknownst to the family, more friends, colleagues and scores of people around the community learned of the effort and young Oliver’s brave journey and wanted to take part.

Once the limo turned the corner and the 1,000-plus crowd became visible, Oliver peeked his

head out of the slow moving limousine to the cheers of Oliver! Oliver! And a rousing “Happy Birthday” sung by the massive crowd. It was a bright and beautiful summer morning, but nothing could top the bright smile as Oliver waved to the crowd.

Oliver was diagnosed in 2010 and remission followed, but he relapsed in 2011. He is now undergoing an experimental procedure. But cancer was the last thing on Oliver’s mind as he danced in the streets with excitement.Derek said his son was one happy little boy on his wish day. And the community that embraced Oliver will never forget what they all experienced that day.

When Shontaveon was diagnosed with leukemia, the normal joys of teenage years seemed to fade. But for 17-year-old car-lover Shontaveon, Make-A-Wish Michigan stepped in to help her dream again. And dream she did! Shontaveon wished to have her 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse ‘tricked out’ with some personalized special touches just for her. In June, Shontaveon stepped back

from worries, doctors and treatments and enjoyed the excitement of the big reveal! With the help of Mark Dekker and Dekker’s Collision Service in Hudsonville, Shontaveon’s Eclipse has a brand new stereo system, new wheels/tires, graphics work on the outside of the car and other must-have teen touches. A wish that will last… for miles!

Shontaveon and her fabulous car

Left: Oliver couldn’t help but break out into his ‘happy dance’ when he saw the crowd of hundreds lining the streets to wish him happy birthday and happy wish!

Middle: Community supporters,students attending soccer camps and bible camps eagerly made signs and cheered on Oliver as the limo approached Hope College on the way to Toys R Us.

Right: Oliver’s dad holds him up so he can see the crowd and take a moment for a quick TV interview for our young star.

Photos courtesy of Make-A-Wish Michigan

A big thank you to the Walt Disney Company for its longstanding commitment to helping grant thousands of wishes to our kids! Cruises, theme parks, Disney celebrities, ESPN and movie sets – our kids have experienced and loved them all.

Wish kid Katelyn, now 18, has wanted to be a marine biologist since she was 7 years old. Atlantis seemed the perfect wish for Katelyn as she met some new marine friends.

Who is smiling more?

Share the Power

of a Wish Currently, more than 450 Michigan children are medically approved

for wishes. Your support will help make them come true!

A community embrace for Oliver

Fall 2012 With Our Best Wishes 5

Gold sponsors

Silver sponsor Home Care Medical Equipment and Service

Medical Services sponsor American Red Cross

Bronze sponsorsDean Trailways of MichiganThe Emrick Investment Group of Wells Fargo AdvisorsFerris State UniversityMichigan International SpeedwayCindy and Michael PettiboneVerizon WirelessVolkswagen Group of AmericaWalsma & Lyons

WAM 50 sponsorMeijer

Tour Lead sponsor

The 25th Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour saw record-breaking numbers for riders and fundraising. Thank you riders, volunteers, wish families and sponsors for helping us surpass our fundraising goal.

What an amazing year as we traveled from Traverse City to the spectacular Michigan International Speedway for the finish line and Heroes Hurrah celebration. When we ride to grant wishes, Michigan children keep dreaming!

Volunteers pave the wayA very special thank you to our hundreds of WAM 300, WAM 50 and Heroes Hurrah volunteers. This amazing event simply would not be possible without your hard work throughout the year. Hall of FameCongratulations to the 2012 WAM Hall of Fame inductees: Mark Labadie, Tony Lott and Bob Polzin. Hall of Fame members are honored for 20 years of participation or for crossing the $100,000 fundraising mark – or both!

$7,500+Beth BrandvainDonetta BehenDenise Knobblock-StarrRob GraingerDavid SchwartzFred FarrandFrank CopelandSam Munaco

Robert SklarRobert CasalouBeth SinclairScott LewisJoe AngileriHarry MillerStephanie GoetzSteve PernaLauren Metzendorf

Rosalie Tocco-BradleyJeff DuCombAnthony LottEric MetzendorfMichael DomzalskiAngel Sam JonesRobert Rensch

$2,500+George TaylorPaul MacArthurAvi BrandvainWilliam GrahamKen GrabowskiJames VerlindeJohn WilliamsGail LopezRobert Paul

David BarnesJanelle GunnJennifer DimmerGeorge WilburMichael ElinskiDave GutmanDavid ContorerKevin DammDenise ParrNick YetterMark Labadie

Tim BalchRick KastKevin DempseyJoe LeechMark CohnSteven SeidmanDave KarnesPaul CostanzaEd ValentiniJames CoonMurray Howe

Scott SylvesterMarilynn MarryDorene StuartAl PetersonJeremy GordonGregg LeshmanWilliam MongrainKeith DombrowskiWarren RobinsonLiz Vander SlootNancy Cutler

Celebrating 25 years of WAM

Silver anniversary shines!

T h a n k y o u t o o u r t o p i n d i v i d u a l f u n d r a i s e r s

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Mark your calendar

26th Annual Tour!WAM 300: July 25 – July 28, 2013

WAM 50: July 28, 2013

Register today www.wishamile.org

Thank you to our 2012 WAM sponsors

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6 With Our Best Wishes Fall 2012

Our continued thanks to Leo Burnett Detroit for helping us bring visibility and a fresh look to our Tour and Wish-A-Mile mission.

Listed in the order of fundraising totals.

Left: Donetta, captain of the Dream Team, found plenty of fun along the way. Middle: It was a big thumbs up at Heroes Hurrah.Right: On WAM 2012, riders sport jerseys from 2004 to mark one of their many WAMs together.

I t takes special t ires to grant special wishes

For many years, Michelle and her friend planned to attend the 2012 Olympic Games in London. They saved their money, sweet-talked London relatives for a place to stay and plotted an amazing trip. When the summer of fundraising arrived after their sophomore year of high school, Michelle’s life took a big turn with a diagnosis of cancer. Michelle’s focus turned from a journey of fun and laughter to a very different journey – one of surgeries, chemotherapy, battles with infection and trying to graduate on time.

Michelle missed her junior year of high school while she battled bone cancer. She had a hip replacement and has a titanium femur. She also had a lung resection when it wasn’t quite clear if the cancer had spread. That coupled with

chemotherapy and a resulting hearing loss, it would be understandable for this courageous teen to lose sight of the joy around her. Yet to talk to Michelle, she is a ray of sunshine, referring to her medical community and wish granters as her super heroes behind the scenes of her recovery and smiles.

Make-A-Wish couldn’t be more proud to be among Michelle’s super heroes – to ensure Michelle’s one true wish came true. On Sunday, July 29 – after Michelle’s dad joined forces to ride to grant wishes in the Wish-A-Mile bicycle tour’s 50-mile ride – Michelle and her family headed to London for her extraordinary wish adventure.

Left: Michelle (left) is happy to pose with her two favorite clinic nurses while she was undergoing treatment.

Middle: Wish kid Michelle heads off to London with a big WAM wave and fanfare at the WAMmys on July 28.

Right: Michelle and her family enjoyed the sights in London.

Left: WAM 50 rider enjoys the sunshine and excitement of the day. Middle: What a night for wish kids as Team Alex celebrates a record-breaking fundraising year. Right: Receiving a medal from a Wish Hero is what it’s all about at Heroes Hurrah!

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What a WAM!

Michelle heads to London, but not before dropping by WAM

Fall 2012 With Our Best Wishes 7

Sean WilliamsKevin ClearyArt DermerMichael TomczakScott CornellMathew RidleyKeith BrownleeJames MahoneyJoseph CurrieEileen BurdenJim Heath

Dale DavisGareth RogersJames RudbergAlexis SinclairScott BlackburnDawn ZomerKaren LohrerDale SchwartzJane JakewayLeo OhlendorfPeter Maise

Mark GracelyAnn GerberRichard LampmanConi SchmidtBob FransioliCheryl RiethmanScott LohrerJim CrossGeoffrey MarshallRon SollishLaura Majewski

Howard AndressJames BellDorothy BarakCarl KoerschnerMiles CofflandShannon YoungAnna RiethmanDavid HabeckerMark WeidnerDon WoodIra Berkowitz

Barbara WilsonKerry McConnellJames HansonMatthew MorabitoBen ChutzJamie HunterAmy KraenzleinJeffrey SurnowRandy MonroeRobert PolzinMichael Bellet

William DotyLinda SciclunaRick JonesShirlee FinchChris WilsonJames DoetschDaniel HoweHeather WoodmanBryce SinclairDori LeibDavida Robinson

Barbara SmithJames HaynerLaura PercyNeil KingCourtland AndersonDavid ShieldsLaura HeughensDebbie George

It was over the pond for Michelle’s wish

www.walkforwishesmi.org

Leave a Legacy by naming Make-A-Wish Michigan as a beneficiary in your estate or give a gift of stock, bonds or life insurance to help grant future wishes. Explore more planned giving options by contacting Nanci Ballantyne, 800.622.9474, ext. 113 or nballantyne@wishmich.org.

PLANNEDGiving

The 2012 Walk for Wishes at the Detroit Zoo welcomed more than 2,500 dedicated walk participants and volunteers who came out on this delightful spring day! Walkers and sponsors were incredible in helping us exceed our fundraising goal to help grant wishes to our amazing Michigan kids – and many of them joined us for the day at the Zoo.

Lead Sponsor

Lead Sponsor

Walk for Wishes in West MichiganThank you to all who have supported our Walk at the beautiful Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

To see event photos and details, please go to: www.walkforwishesmi.org

F O L L O W M A K E - A - W I S H A N D O u R C O u R A G E O u S K I D S

Wish kidsEvents SponsorsFaces

Visit www.michigan.wish.org

Thank you to our 2012 sponsors

Thank youto our 2012 sponsors

www.twitter.com/makeawishmi

www.facebook.com/wishmich

Make-A-Wish of Michiganwww.michigan.wish.org

www.youtube.com/makeawishmi

www.flickr.com/makeawishmi

8 With Our Best Wishes Fall 2012

Wish SponsorsMike and Sue Jandernoa Mercantile Bank of Michigan

Wish SponsorsCalverley Supply/LuxaireCosi (in kind) Detroit Free Press Marathon (in kind)Frigo Cheese HeadsKenwal Pickling LLCLearning Care GroupLSG Insurance PartnersMeijerUnited States Steel – Great Lakes Works

Hope SponsorsHamilton ChevroletMetro Parent (in kind)UHY, LLPUnited Healthcare

Strength SponsorsMichigan UAW Cap CouncilCindy and Michael PettiboneUniversity of Michigan Health System

Left: A record crowd enjoyed the crisp spring morning. Right: Alicia Smith from WXYZ-TV Channel 7 was the emcee for the day and helped our wish kids cut the ribbon to get the 2012 Walk for Wishes started.

MLive - The Grand Rapids PressHope Sponsor

“...My daughter received her wish and I want to do all that I can to spread the word and pay it forward! This is another great way to show Kaylie the good in people and how great it feels to give back! We would walk a 100 miles!”

Wish mom, Keri Bosker

Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank MarathonSunday, October 21, 2012

Visit Make-A-Wish at the Expo (Cobo Center Macomb Hall) Fri., Oct. 19 – Sat., Oct. 20. Email wish@wishmich.org if you are currently registered and would like to fundraise for Make-A-Wish!www.wishmich.org/marathon

Save the date:Saturday, May 4, 2013 Walk for Wishes at the Detroit Zoo

PROGRAM SERVICES

Merry DonnSenior Wish Coordinator

Christie HillWish Manager

Erica HuntWish Coordinator

Brianna IanniWish Coordinator & Program Services Specialist

Julie McCarthyWish Coordinator, pt

Carrie McCullochWish Coordinator

Alissa ShipmanSenior Wish Coordinator

Nancy SporeVice President of Program Services

Mary VeltemaReferral and Medical Outreach Manager

Selling paper star cutouts is just one of many easy ways to raise funds to grant wishes!

Kids can help kids too!

Gather your school, church group or community group together and help make a difference in the lives of other kids!

Most importantly, this fundraising program is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn the importance of philanthropy while helping grant a child’s most heartfelt wish.

Art & Wishes

Wish Artist Haley Haley, 6, wished to go to Walt Disney World® Resort. Haley’s mom, Nicole, said “Haley enjoyed everything! Most of all, I think she just enjoyed feeling like a normal kid again.” She loved going to all of the theme parks and eating a banana split!

Wish Artist PiercePierce, 14, wished to meet Jeff Gordon at the Daytona 500. “It [the wish] was his dream come true,” said Pierce’s mom, Janelle. “We had a great time…it was touching to see Jeff Gordon take the time out and spend it with Pierce!”

Wish Artist DevonDevon, 11, had his shopping spree wish to Toys R Us and Best Buy granted earlier this year. By the looks of his wish art, it seems Geoffrey the Giraffe made quite an impact on Devon, who is from Fowlerville.

VOLUNTEER.DONATE.WISHOrganize an event and grant wishes YOU can help raise money and plan an event, here’s how:

Plan an event, which is commonly referred to as a Third Party Event: Think creatively and have fun! Suggestions include bowling events, coordinating a Jean’s Day at work, holiday-themed events, golf outings - or other great ideas you have to support wishes!

For more information please visit www.wishmich.org/organizeanevent or email wish@wishmich.org

Maleah, 8, faces the many challengesof Sickle Cell Anemia. Maleah’s wish to go to Walt Disney World® Resort provided lots of fun and adventure, including meeting Mary Poppins and getting some very pretty mouse ears!

Did you know…It takes millions of airline miles to fly our Michigan wish families to their travel destinations each year. By donating your exta miles – a few hundred or a few thousand – you can help a wish child and their family take flight to their magical destination.

Participating airlines: Delta, US Airways, United

You can help make these travel wishes come true by donating your unused miles. To donate, visit: www.wishmich.org/frequentflier

Our Michigan wish kids share their wishes through art

Maleah’s big day

Fall 2012 With Our Best Wishes 9

We all have

the power to

grant a wish®!

Adopt-A-Wish sponsors: Jeff Gordon Children’s FoundationMake-A-Wish America

Michigan wish kids often draw pictures to tell us about their wishes.

We learned so much about our children and family on the trip. How else would I have known my shy, timid, middle child Evie loved thrill rides? Or that Bennet just loved sea animals so much? The look on Bennet’s face when he finally met his favorite cartoon character was priceless and now a treasured picture. The vacation also showed us how important time away from the norm is for our family. I had no idea just how much daily stress we are all under until we got away from it for a while.

We’ve decided to always block a week out of the year for our family to do something fun together, whether it’s an actual

trip somewhere or just a ‘staycation,’ we want to try and recapture the carefree, stress-free atmosphere that the Make-A-Wish trip gave us.

Bennet looks back at the pictures almost every day and we know it’s going to be a happy memory to return to and relive no matter where he is or what he has to experience. Thank you Make-A-Wish for giving our family priceless memories and reminding us how to have fun. ~ Nina, wish mom

Diagnosed with biliary atresia, 13-year-old Destenee has spent much of her life in the hospital so her wish couldn’t have come at a better time.

When a white stretch limousine picked up Destenee and her family for her electronics wish adventure, Destenee had big plans for the day. With her list in hand, off they went!

At Best Buy, the store staff were waiting to greet her and helped Destenee pick out

electronics and gadgets to get ready for school. The chauffeur delivered Destenee and her family to Red Lobster for a delicious lunch to make the day even better. Many thanks to national partner Jewelers for Children for making Destenee’s wish come true! Destenee now spends hours enjoying her new Best Buy electronics – a perfect way for this courageous young lady to recharge after her tough medical challenges.

Continued from page 1

Gadgets galore for wish kid Destenee

Destenee enjoyed her limo ride during her

shopping spree wish thanks to our sponsor Jewelers for Children.

Jedi wish kidSeth spent nine months in the hospital undergoing bone marrow transplants, surgeries, infections and isolation while battling AML. His mom Lora said he has been determined since the beginning to ‘kill his cancer.’ Seth, now 8, was diagnosed when he was 6.Mom Lora says the little Jedi from Owosso enthusiastically wished to go to Walt Disney World® Resort during Star Wars Week to experience some battles with the Star Wars universe. Lora said they had such a great time and “the wish will be with us forever!”

Seth has courageously endured serious health battles, including challenging setbacks. In June, he had a very different kind of battle with some Jedi friends during Star Wars Week.

“While the medical equipment, meds and daily care came with us, for some reason it just didn’t seem as hard to do.”

Madison makes a perfect landing spot for little Tinkerbell in this special photo at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Magic for Madison

10 With Our Best Wishes Fall 2012

Wishes come true... one supporter, one donation at a time.

Adopt-A-Wish sponsor: Fischer America

Adopt-A-Wish sponsor: Jack H. Miller

Left: Bennet’s wish proclamation began his fun-filled journey. Right: Bennet was so excited to meet his favorite character Lightning McQueen.

Fall 2012 With Our Best Wishes 11

Wish kid LynzeeLynzee, now 5, found joy after the worry and hospital stays.

“It brought us closer as a family,” Lynzee’s mom, Katelyn, said of her wish. “After Lynzee’s tumor we each seemed to think about it but we didn’t talk much about it. The trip felt like a celebration that her life is very full,and she still has great things ahead of her.”

Wish kid Tristan Tristan had an amazing wish to meet and skate with the Detroit Red Wings. Undeterred on the ice in his wheelchair, it was a fantastic day for everyone. When day turned to night, Tristan’s mom couldn’t help but capture Tristan sleeping with his new autographed hockey stick from Detroit Red Wings Henrik Zetterberg.

Wish kid Elijah Elijah, 9, of Portland, who is battling leukemia, wished to go on a Royal Caribbean Cruise with his family. “Words cannot express the gratitude we feel in our hearts for the generosity which you have shown our family. We now have wonderful memories to look back on as we continue on this journey to overcome cancer and all the pain that comes with it.” ~ From Elijah’s family

Maggiano’s Little Italy serves up smiles

Lucy... Meet Lucy For Lucy, 13, doing the ‘Hollywood thing,’ and touring Los Angeles was the ticket to a perfect wish for this courageous young girl battling ovarian cancer.

World Wish Day with Shaun White In honor of World Wish Day, April 29, snowboarder Shaun White granted Ethan’s wish at Northstar California Resort. Ethan, from Michigan, is second from left in the red sweatshirt, without a hat.

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Before 14-year-old Jessica headed off to her wish at Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, the Troy restaurant staff converted one of the rooms into a tropical resort and donned themselves in ‘island wear.’ Surrounded by family and delicious Caribbean food including ‘Four cheese beach bum fritters’ and ‘Cabana boy bow-tie pasta’, Jessica had a fabulous time!

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Eighty cents of EVERY

dollar spent goes toward

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Adopt-A-Wish sponsor: Jack H. Miller

Adopt-A-Wish sponsor: Dr. Stewart Epstein Memorial Golf Outing

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Adopt-A-Wish sponsor: The McDonell Family

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Make-A-Wish Michigan

Headquarters2300 Genoa Business Park Dr.Suite 290Brighton, MI 48114

MARK YOuR CALENDAR andJOIN THE FuN IN 2012-13!

Nov. / Dec. 2012Season of Wishes!

Nov. 28, 2012 Santa Bus Tour – Next stop: Macy’s Port Huron

Dec. 14, 2012National Believe Day

April 29, 2013World Wish Day

May 4, 2013Walk For WishesDetroit Zoo

May 9, 2013Wish BallDeVos Place, Grand Rapids

July 25-28, 2013Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour

July 28, 2013WAM 50 One-Day RideHeroes Hurrah

Share the Power of a Wish®!

Make-A-Wish Michiganwww.michigan.wish.org

Headquarters2300 Genoa Business Park Dr.Suite 290Brighton, MI 48114800.622.WISH (9474)

Southeast Michigan OfficeOld Hutzel BuildingGround Floor, G674707 St. AntoineDetroit, MI 48201888.857.WISH (9474)

West Michigan Office648 Monroe Ave NW, Suite 104Grand Rapids, MI 49503877.631.WISH (9474)

Wishes will come true for hundreds of courageous Michigan children this year. Please help bring joy to our wish kids with your support.

12 With Our Best Wishes Fall 2012

Adopt-A-Wish sponsor:Plex Systems, Inc.

Beautiful Kate has a wonderful reason to smile … she is leaving for her wish to Walt Disney World® Resort in mid October. Kate, 5, from Waterford is bravely battling Wilms Tumor. Kate’s Aunt Jodie is a longtime wish granting volunteer who has helped so many children experience the power of a wish adventure.