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Earlier this year, Make-A-Wish Idaho granted Jessica's wish for an online shopping spree. It was a happy wish. Jessica had recovered from cancer and was looking forward to the next stage of her life. Make-A-Wish Idaho asked her to share her story during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Jessica's Story by Jessica
"Before my illness, my life was perfect. I didn't have anything to worry about besides my daily life and my high school classes. I went to football games, participated in two varsity choirs and never felt like I had to make sure I wasn't overworking myself with activities. It was a life any kid would dream of.
"When I first felt something concerning, I didn't really know what to think - I was just hoping for the best outcome, which was obviously to be fine, but I knew I wasn't. I was freaking out on the inside because as a fifteen-year-old girl, you can't ever imagine yourself having cancer.
"My life changed very quickly and very drastically, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and after nine hours of surgeries, I had these fresh, new scars all over my neck that I quickly became insecure about. I could barely finish my sophomore year which was really important to me and bummed me out that I had to miss basketball games, choir concerts and friend get-togethers. Unfortunately, the emotional toll of having cancer didn't hit me until the fall of 2019, and I struggled with alot of mental trauma and depression. Getting through that was rough, but once I wrapped my head around it, I was able to move on from that piece of my life.
"Something that really helped me was having a supportive friend group; they would come to my house and watch TV and bring me gifts. It really gave me a sense of hope that I would have the people who I loved the most by my side, especially my sister. She's been my best friend ever since we both matured out of the stage where sisters don't like each other. She would send me messages and packages and always made sure I knew my worth.
"If I'm going to be real, raw and honest, I didn't have the mindset that I should have had at first. I just wanted the pain to go away and I just wanted to be done with my surgeries. I didn't realize I was going to get better until I was all done with my surgeries. I thought, “That's it? I think I’m going to be okay” and kind of sat in my room and processed it. I didn’t have the reaction I felt like a lot of other people have because I already knew I was going to be okay, for the most part. I always had hope through the suffering.
[My advice to those struggling with something similar] is to always communicate with a friend or family with how you’re feeling. Going through something like this can be extremely mentally taxing on someone around my age or younger. It’s never a bad thing to reach out for help. Have faith and hope in your doctors. Also another good tip is to watch as many Disney movies as possible and eat as many donuts as you want, too. Your body and mind have been and will be going through a lot, so treat yourself."
Edie started granting wishes years ago when she lived in Alaska. She transferred as a wish granter to our Idaho Chapter when she moved here in 2010 and has been helping us grant wishes in her community ever since. Edie is a go-to-gal and always willing to lend a hand to help children and anyone in her community.

"I lived in a little town with 750 people year-round, twelve miles from Denali National Park. We had a child there who was ill. And there weren't any volunteers in our area. Then, as it happened, there were two of us who could train to become volunteers in the town of Healy, Alaska. So we did. I can’t remember the exact first wish, but I went into Fairbanks to train. I was on the school board and volunteered on eleven committees. I was always involved with kids. I was a general manager at a hotel. I was friends with the superintendent of the school, so I would hear about community needs. There was a need, we thought, for a volunteer. I was trained and there were two of us. Then I began to talk others into becoming volunteers.
"[My first wish in Idaho] was a little boy who wished to go to Disney World. He had the biggest, brownest eyes I’d ever seen. He was adorable, and he loved four-wheelers, too, which we had in common. He bought me presents from Disney World. He bought me a whale necklace and whale earrings. He loved whales. He was a sweetheart, that little boy with the biggest, brownest eyes. When I saw him at the park a year later, he recognized me.

"Children are our future. We need to do everything we can to make their lives successful. As far as I’m concerned that’s the only way to look at it. They are the most important people on earth. I teach the nursery at our church. I love it. I put together all the totes for all the toys, teaching special stories. I love it."
Hello! My name is Neil Gulley, and my wife, Donna, and I reside in Coeur d’Alene with our two teenage children, Neil and Angelina. We also have a teenager, also named Angelina, who lives with us and has become family. We have had a home in CDA for about five years with our primary residence being Parker, Colorado. In June of this year, we decided we wanted to be full-time Idaho residents and are buying a house in the Boise area. I work for Realogy Corporation and oversee the West and Midwest Regions for Realogy Title Group. One of our companies is Idaho’s very own, TitleOne!

I am proud to serve on the board of directors for Make-A-Wish Idaho. Three years ago, at a TitleOne charity golf tournament, I heard about Make-A-Wish Idaho’s mission and instantly knew I wanted to be involved. What drew me in was not only the wish-fulfillment aspect of the organization but how the whole process positively impacts critically ill children before, during and after the wish is granted. I continue to look forward to raising both awareness and funds for Make-A-Wish Idaho so that every child in need is able to receive her or his wish.
The 18th Annual Serving Up Wishes, October 6, 2020, is a fundraiser that celebrates wishes that have already been granted, while raising funds for future wishes. This year, because of COVID-19, we are making the event virtual.

For over 40 years, Make-A-Wish has been working with our community to transform the lives of children battling critical illnesses through the power of a wish come true. During this year’s event, we will share some powerful stories and delight you with a few fun surprises. While we will miss seeing you in person, we want to ensure everyone can experience the gala program and participate in the various fundraising elements safely and from the comfort of their homes.

How You Can Help:

Watch: Tune into Make-A-Wish Idaho’s Facebook page at 7 p.m. on October 6, where Mark Johnson and Larry Flynn will be hosting the program live! You can also host a Watch Party in your home to celebrate with your friends.

Bid: The Serving Up Wishes Auction will have some one-of-kind items that you don’t want to miss. You can bid at https://makeawish.afrogs.org/. Items will be updated as we get closer to the event, but you can start bidding on September 28. The best thing to do is to watch the program on one device then use another device like an iPad or phone to bid.

Donate: Be a part of our annual Serving Up Wishes Fund-A-Wish campaign. You can give a gift on the auction site at https://makeawish.afrogs.org/ or on our website Idaho.wish.org.

Advocate: Typically, this event sells out, so we are thrilled to share this with a wider audience! Make-A-Wish Idaho serves wish kids all around the state so please take a moment and share this event and auction with your friends and family wherever they may be and let’s make this the best Serving Up Wishes ever!!!

Today, it’s more important than ever that we keep giving kids the hope and healing they need. Your commitment to wish children and families is crucial to ensure we can grant these wishes and many more as soon as it's safe.
The 5th Annual Walk for Wishes Magic Valley event will be held Saturday, September 26 at 10 a.m. Due to COVID-19, the event will take place virtually with each participant walking separately in their own neighborhood, on a nature trail, on a treadmill at home or wherever they might choose. Participants will be asked to post themselves walking on social media and to tag Make-A-Wish Idaho in order to help raise awareness for wish kids who have had their wishes postponed.
 
This year’s Walk for Wishes Magic Valley will support wishes like thirteen-year-old Shawn’s. His favorite activity is riding in a bicycle trailer, but due to his neuromuscular disorder, he often experiences pain and discomfort getting in and out of traditional bicycle trailers. Shawn wished for a custom-made pedicab, so he can continue to enjoy his bike rides in comfort and safety.
 
You can sign up today as a sponsor, walk team or volunteer. There is no registration fee; though Make-A-Wish Idaho asks participants to raise $100 or more to help grant wishes to more Idaho wish kids. Participants are asked to tag Make-A-Wish Idaho during their walks (on Facebook, Twitter: @MakeAWish_Idaho or Instagram: @maw_idaho), using the hashtag #walkforwishesmagicvalley
Have you ever wondered about becoming more involved with Make-A-Wish Idaho? If you love children, enjoy being creative and have great attention to detail, consider becoming a wish pal.

Wish pals are volunteer wish granters who help wish kids look forward to positive things during difficult times - something that couldn't be more relevant now. Current wish granters may also sign up to serve as wish pals with no additional training


Email jthomas@idaho.wish.org for more information.
Blended Giving: The Best of Both Worlds
 
You can make a difference at Make-A-Wish Idaho both today and tomorrow. How? By combining a current gift with one for the future. This type of giving, called blended giving, allows you to make an even bigger impact than you thought possible. Making a blended gift is easier than you think. Simply choose a gift that works for you today and pair it with one for the future.


Why Blended Giving?

When you combine a gift today with a gift for the future, you:
·      Help Make-A-Wish Idaho plan for the future with confidence, while meeting our needs today.
·      Ensure we can continue granting wishes, while providing hope to children today.
·      Inspire others to give, while creating a legacy at Make-A-Wish Idaho.
 
Plan Your Giving Strategy
Finding the best combination of gifts to meet your charitable and financial goals can be challenging. We are happy to work with you and your financial advisor or estate planning attorney to help you find the best giving options to meet your needs.
 
Do More Through Blended Giving
See the impact you can make at Make-A-Wish Idaho both today and in the future. Contact Janie Best at 208.297.6822 or JBest@idaho.wish.org to learn more, or for help getting started finding the right gift for you.
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