Wailuku Teen Surprised with Make-a-Wish Gift

On Thursday, April 7, Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi received a phone call from the physician of a 17-year-old Maui boy diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a cancer that typically is found in children and young adults, and most often occurs in and around the bones.  The Maui teen was referred to the wish-granting organization in 2015 and was scheduled to go on a trip with his family to Disney World this summer, until a harrowing phone call on Thursday put those plans on halt—and another plan into action.

“The doctor recommended a healthy dose of family time and the power of a wish,” said representatives with Make-a-Wish Hawaiʻi.

Organization representatives said, “Realizing that travel was off the table, Christian searched himself for a new wish; something that would give him the hope to get up in the morning, the strength to climb out of bed, and the joy to look toward the future.”

Christian ended up putting in a wish request for a gaming laptop, “And so Christian’s wish granters got to work, determined to do what medicine could not.”

Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi staff gathered an Alienware gaming laptop, a top-of-the-line wireless Bluetooth headset, Logitech gaming mouse, multifunctional mechanical gaming keyboard and a new Netgear router to keep Christian connected to his gaming community and friends online.

The next day, Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi staff arrived at his residence, with games pre-loaded and anti-malware installed, ready to put a smile on this teen’s face as he rested in hospice.

Upon entering his family home, wish granters were greeted by Christian’s four younger sisters and set up a table with each piece of gaming gear neatly wrapped just for him. As Christian’s mother transferred him from his bed to a wheelchair, the girls changed into their Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi shirts, held up signs and cheered, “Happy Wish Day!” to their older brother. They even helped him open the presents.

“As the first box was unwrapped, revealing his Alienware laptop, a smile spread across the teen’s face; a smile of joy despite exhaustion,” said Make-A-Wish representatives.

“Christian looked to the next gift, and this time, he felt the strength enough to open it himself,” they said.

“By the third box, this seriously ill teen was rejuvenated, tearing open boxes with newfound strength as his mom held back tears of gratitude. To see her son, having gone through such a ferocious battle with Ewing’s sarcoma and related complications over the past year, now infused with hope, was a wish granted for her as well,” according to representatives with the Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi organization.

“And so the doctor’s recommendation for the power of a wish to prolong the life of a boy, with so much life and love left to give the world, proved to be powerful,” said representatives with Make-a-Wish Hawaiʻi. “What would you give to have a few extra days with your child, or your siblings? This wish come true has given Christian and his family at least a few more days longer than expected. Perhaps those days will turn into weeks, or months, and will without a doubt add to the everlasting memories of their additional time together. It’s a wish come true,” organization representatives daid.

Christian is one of over 100 local kids who are identified as potential wish recipients. The public is invited to become involved in granting wishes to children of the community, like Christian, by sponsoring a wish, fundraising, volunteering or making a financial gift at hawaii.wish.org.

Make-a-Wish Hawaiʻi joined Christian’s family in surprising him with a gaming laptop of his dreams. Photo credit: Sean Michael Hower Photography

Make-a-Wish Hawaiʻi surprised Christian with a gaming laptop of his dreams. Photo credit: Sean Michael Hower Photography

Make-a-Wish Hawaiʻi surprised Christian with a gaming laptop of his dreams. His sisters were on hand to help in open his presents for his special Wish Day. Photo credit: Sean Michael Hower Photography

Make-a-Wish Hawaiʻi surprised Christian with a gaming laptop of his dreams. Photo credit: Sean Michael Hower Photography

Make-a-Wish Hawaiʻi surprised Christian with a gaming laptop of his dreams. Photo credit: Sean Michael Hower Photography

Make-a-Wish Hawaiʻi surprised Christian with a gaming laptop of his dreams. Photo credit: Sean Michael Hower Photography

Make-a-Wish Hawaiʻi surprised Christian with a gaming laptop of his dreams. Photo credit: Sean Michael Hower Photography

Make-a-Wish Hawaiʻi surprised Christian with a gaming laptop of his dreams. Photo credit: Sean Michael Hower Photography