Watch CBS News

Make A Wish Foundation Holds Fundraiser To Make More Wishes Come True

By Tim Jimenez 

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation looks to grant 300 plus wishes in the next year, on Sunday they held their annual "Walk for Wishes" fundraiser at the Philadelphia Zoo.

Make-A-Wish helps many kid with life-threatening or altering illnesses. But local chapter President Dennis Heron said their focus is not on the negative.

"We are not for the dying children," Heron said. "We instill life. We instill hope and strength."

One wish turned 7-year-old Mary from Bensalem into a globetrotter.

"First, I went to London, then I went to Spain," Mary said. "Then I want to Portugal. I went on the Disney cruise. Then I went to the Rock of Gibraltar."

Her mom Stacy said Mary's wish was to see castles, because, she's a princess after all.

"She battled cancer and we are one year cancer free," Stacy said.

IMG_2562
Stacy and daughter Mary from Bensalem. (Photo Credit: KYW's Tim Jimenez)

And after a trip of a lifetime with her friends and family. How does Mary feel now?

"Good. Really good," Mary said.

9-year old Katelyn from Montgomeryville has been through so much said her mom Christine.

"Has epilepsy and a genetic brain disorder called Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and she has tumors throughout her body and she struggles with doctor's appointments constantly," Christine said.

But for a week in June, thanks to Make-A-Wish, Katelyn was able to go to Disney World.

"Picked us up in a stretch limousine and took us to the airport and it was just incredibly," Katelyn mom said. "I can't even think of the word. It was magic."

And now Katelyn sells bracelets she makes herself and donates the money to Make a Wish, which gave her more than just a dream trip.

"Katelyn feels like, 'Okay, we can do this.' And I think it gives her confidence to push forward."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.