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Wish Blog

Feb 12, 2019

From Wish Kid to Wish Granter: My Life Now with Karen Choy

Karen Choy
The first time a wish granter meets his or her wish child, it’s a special moment. It marks the first step in a life-changing journey for a child who’s about to be told he or she can dream about life beyond illness. When Make-A-Wish® Hawaii wish granter Karen Choy meets with a wish child, the moment carries even more weight. Though she never brings it up, as this wish meeting is “all about them,” Karen understands their battle in an entirely different way—as someone who has also lived it. She herself is a former wish kid, and a two-time cancer survivor.

Feb 12, 2019

From Wish Kid to Wish Granter: My Life Now with Karen Choy

Karen Choy
The first time a wish granter meets his or her wish child, it’s a special moment. It marks the first step in a life-changing journey for a child who’s about to be told he or she can dream about life beyond illness. When Make-A-Wish® Hawaii wish granter Karen Choy meets with a wish child, the moment carries even more weight. Though she never brings it up, as this wish meeting is “all about them,” Karen understands their battle in an entirely different way—as someone who has also lived it. She herself is a former wish kid, and a two-time cancer survivor.

Nov 26, 2018

My Life Now: Bradley Akamu

brad
Volunteer Coordinator at Hawaii Meals on Wheels, dog owner, outdoor enthusiast, amateur photographer—31-year-old Bradley Akamu wears many hats. He’s also a childhood leukemia survivor, and a former wish kid; Make-A-Wish Hawaii granted his wish to have a saxophone nearly 20 years ago, a wish that he still reflects on as a turning point in his journey.

Nov 26, 2018

My Life Now: Bradley Akamu

brad
Volunteer Coordinator at Hawaii Meals on Wheels, dog owner, outdoor enthusiast, amateur photographer—31-year-old Bradley Akamu wears many hats. He’s also a childhood leukemia survivor, and a former wish kid; Make-A-Wish Hawaii granted his wish to have a saxophone nearly 20 years ago, a wish that he still reflects on as a turning point in his journey.

Oct 19, 2018

Intern Spotlight- Ryan Hirokane

Ryan and his fellow summer 2018 interns at Wine for Wishes
At Make-A-Wish Hawaii, we have the privilege of working with the next generation of nonprofit leaders: our interns. They come to us with diverse backgrounds, skills, and areas of interest, but they all share a passion for our mission and leave a lasting impact on our wish kids, volunteers, and staff. One intern who has gone above and beyond in this respect is Ryan Hirokane.

Oct 19, 2018

Intern Spotlight- Ryan Hirokane

Ryan and his fellow summer 2018 interns at Wine for Wishes
At Make-A-Wish Hawaii, we have the privilege of working with the next generation of nonprofit leaders: our interns. They come to us with diverse backgrounds, skills, and areas of interest, but they all share a passion for our mission and leave a lasting impact on our wish kids, volunteers, and staff. One intern who has gone above and beyond in this respect is Ryan Hirokane.

Oct 18, 2018

Wish mom Crystal on the role of a wish

Xzylie
Waipahu wish kid Xzylie is a sweet, stylish 4-year-old who has endured more than any child should. Her battle with leukemia has resulted in numerous complications and lengthy hospital stays, but her resilient nature has carried her and her mother Crystal through even the most difficult times. Xzylie’s wish to meet the princesses at Walt Disney World® has also helped Xzylie and Crystal stay positive throughout it all. Crystal shared what their journey has been like so far.

Oct 18, 2018

Wish mom Crystal on the role of a wish

Xzylie
Waipahu wish kid Xzylie is a sweet, stylish 4-year-old who has endured more than any child should. Her battle with leukemia has resulted in numerous complications and lengthy hospital stays, but her resilient nature has carried her and her mother Crystal through even the most difficult times. Xzylie’s wish to meet the princesses at Walt Disney World® has also helped Xzylie and Crystal stay positive throughout it all. Crystal shared what their journey has been like so far.

Oct 15, 2018

Wish kids Robin and Ally form an unbreakable bond at the hospital

Robin Ally
When 12-year-old Ally and 16-year-old Robin first met, it wasn’t at school or through friends; it was at the hospital, through a thick, glass door.

Oct 15, 2018

Wish kids Robin and Ally form an unbreakable bond at the hospital

Robin Ally
When 12-year-old Ally and 16-year-old Robin first met, it wasn’t at school or through friends; it was at the hospital, through a thick, glass door.

Sep 13, 2018

My Life Now: Angelica’s wish to visit her dream school shapes her future

Angelica
17-year-old Angelica was in the midst of her senior year of high school, eagerly awaiting graduation, when her life completely changed.

Sep 13, 2018

My Life Now: Angelica’s wish to visit her dream school shapes her future

Angelica
17-year-old Angelica was in the midst of her senior year of high school, eagerly awaiting graduation, when her life completely changed.

Aug 30, 2018

Patricia's legacy lives on through a life-changing gift

Patricia Beck
Patricia Beck's passion for travel and education inspires a generous gift for two local wish children.

Aug 30, 2018

Patricia's legacy lives on through a life-changing gift

Patricia Beck
Patricia Beck's passion for travel and education inspires a generous gift for two local wish children.

Jun 01, 2018

Intern Spotlight: Stephanie Mele

Steph Mele
As a new class of interns joins our wish ohana, we thought we’d highlight the perspective of one of our recent interns who went above and beyond every step of the way during her journey at Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Hear from events intern extraordinaire and New York native Steph Mele as she reflects on her internship experience.

Jun 01, 2018

Intern Spotlight: Stephanie Mele

Steph Mele
As a new class of interns joins our wish ohana, we thought we’d highlight the perspective of one of our recent interns who went above and beyond every step of the way during her journey at Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Hear from events intern extraordinaire and New York native Steph Mele as she reflects on her internship experience.

May 31, 2018

My Life Now: Wish Kid Reece

Reece
The moment you meet 18-year-old Reece, you know he’s destined to do great things.

May 31, 2018

My Life Now: Wish Kid Reece

Reece
The moment you meet 18-year-old Reece, you know he’s destined to do great things.

Mar 14, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight: Ja'

Ja'
For Sgt. 1st Class JaNesse Simpson, better known as Ja’, serving the community is more than just a full-time job; it’s a way of life.

Mar 14, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight: Ja'

Ja'
For Sgt. 1st Class JaNesse Simpson, better known as Ja’, serving the community is more than just a full-time job; it’s a way of life.

About this Blog

Wish Blog gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the wonderful work happening at Make-A-Wish® Hawaii. See how the wishes of local keiki battling critical illnesses come together and how they change lives forever. Hear directly from those who work or volunteer here, or from those in your neighborhood who have been transformed by a wish in some way. Discover why we are so committed to achieving our vision of granting the wish of every eligible child, every year.

We want to hear from you.

We moderate our communities by only one rule: Be nice. We welcome different views - just keep it courteous and considerate. Mahalo for connecting.

Please submit your blog ideas for consideration to Alison Mehrman at nzruezna@unjnvv.jvfu.bet.

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My Life Now

Follow our new My Life Now series to grasp the long-term impact of a wish. When you support local wish kids, your gift lasts much more than just that one day or week. Here, we will share with you the stories of our inspiring Wish Alumni, from checking in one year later to celebrate milestones of returning to normalcy, to checking in decades later to celebrate larger milestones of overcoming.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

We are in need of volunteers on all islands! Sign up to become a wish granting volunteer today!

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