Joanna's
Wish
Gratitude Report Fiscal Year 2o22
“Bibbidi–bobbidi-boo!” Thank you for making Joanna’s dream come true
Joanna loves the movie, Cinderella. When she was a young girl, she would watch the big screen with wide, hopeful eyes. She loved seeing Cinderella’s tattered clothing transform – with the help of a magic wand – into a grand, shimmering dress, glass slippers glinting beneath her blue ball gown.
“When I would see her, I would imagine myself in a dress just like hers,” Joanna said. “I can’t count the numbers of times I’ve seen Cinderella,” she said.
She would sit in her living room and dream of a day when she could adorn a gown just like Cinderella. That movie made her believe in the impossible, and it was that dress that inspired a dream.
Just like Cinderella, Joanna has overcome tremendous adversity. When she was 15 years old, she was diagnosed with leukemia. What started as leg pain quickly turned into something more insidious. Her family scheduled an appointment to see her doctor, who ordered a couple quick blood tests. When the results came back, Joanna’s world came crashing down.
“I was in the middle of class when my mom got the call,” Joanna said. “They told us to go the emergency room right away. My mom picked me up from school, and she started crying. That was the day I was diagnosed with cancer.”
Joanna underwent cancer treatment, including chemotherapy. She was in and out of the hospital for months, often isolated because of COVID.
In the midst of that grueling journey, she got a call from Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington. Just as Cinderella’s fairy godmother appeared when she needed her most, Make-A-Wish came to the aid of Joanna.
“If you could wish for anything, what would you wish for?”
It was a question Joanna didn’t have to think hard on. She had been dreaming of this moment her whole life.
Joanna wanted a fairytale of her own – to have a Quinceañera and a dress fit for a princess.
That’s when Joanna met Denise, an amazing wish-granting volunteer who helped bring her dreams to life.
“There were times during treatment that would be really hard,” Joanna said. “I would think of my wish, and I would tell myself I could get through it.”
In her hospital room, she imagined her wish coming true. Her wish brought her hope and joy, and it was a reprieve away from the reality of cancer.
The day of her dress fitting was a day Joanna will never forget. The dress was everything she had pictured in her mind.
The moment she looked in the mirror at herself in the dress, tears streamed down her face. Before her stood a beautiful princess in a stunning ball gown.
“It made me feel special,” Joanna said. “I just thought to myself, ‘Wow.’” She was speechless.
The day of her quinceañera, Joanna’s family had reason to celebrate. Doctors had told her family only a couple weeks prior to the party that there was no more sign of cancer.
Surrounded by family and a community who came together to support her, Joanna walked into her quinceañera, a parade leading the way. The day was filled with so many special touches – and it was all for Joanna, a girl who dreamed of being Cinderella.
“I didn’t think I was going to make it,” Joanna said. “I’m so happy I made it. My wish got me through.”
You bring dreams to life and give me the power to be a fairy godmother
By wish-granting volunteer Denise
I’ll never forget the day I went with Joanna to help her pick out her dress for her quinceañera. When she tried that dress on, she was transformed.
She had tears coming down her cheeks, and she said, ‘This is exactly what I envisioned for my Quinceañera.’ She was so happy. You could see the joy not only on her face, but on her mom’s face. And that’s what a wish is about – bringing smiles and hope to children.
I have been fortunate to see that joy so many times in the past 5 years, thanks to you. You see, when my father passed away, I decided that I wanted to do something to honor him. My parents have always taught me to give back to the community. So, I became a wish-granting volunteer.
I wish more people would realize the impact a wish has on a child’s life. Granting a wish is one of the most important things you can do with your life. Giving a child hope is such a magical process. And when you grant a wish to a child, you are giving that child a gift; you’re giving a gift to the family and everyone involved in that experience.
When we saw Joanna cry in the dress shop, we all burst into tears. It makes your heart happy knowing that you are able to bring so much joy and laughter into a child’s life.
The day of her wish, you could just see her light up. And I know that she will never forget that experience. She felt like Cinderella, which was perfect because that’s exactly what we were aiming for.
Filling a need
In 2022, Make-A-Wish America recognized and honored Denise with the coveted Volunteer of the Year Award for her outstanding efforts in support of our wish kids. The award is given to one volunteer across the nation for going above and beyond for wish children. Just like Cinderella’s foot in the glass slipper, Denise was the perfect fit.
The road to this award began two years prior, when Denise noticed a concerning pattern in her inbox. Week after week, she’d see the same list of names in the assignment email sent to volunteers seesheking their support to grant those wishes. She realized Spanish-speaking families were waiting longer for their wishes because of a lack of Spanish-speaking volunteers.
“It broke my heart, and I thought, ‘I need to do something,’” Denise said.
So, for Christmas, Denise asked for a very specific present: Spanish lessons.
Her wish came true, and she embarked on a journey to learn a new language.
Today, she’s helping families like Joanna’s – so they don’t have to wait for their happily ever after.
“I would encourage everybody to become a volunteer,” Denise said.
You, too, can make wishes like Joanna’s come true! Visit wish.org/akwa/volunteer to start your volunteer journey. Bringing wishes to life is easier than you think. You can become a wish-granting volunteer today with our newly redesigned online, on-demand training. You have the ability to choose wishes that fit into your schedule – and make wishes a possibility.
Memories to last a lifetime
Photographer Ana Karen
Sometimes the universe – or maybe a little bit of fairytale magic – turns a chance encounter into a life-changing moment. For professional photographer, Ana, that moment happened 10,000 feet above ground.
“I was on a plane from Yakima to Seattle and by chance sat next to the owner of Oakshire Estate and Airfield,” said Ana. “I mentioned I was a photographer, and she said she’d love to see my pictures.”
Her photos were lovely, and the two exchanged numbers. A few weeks later, Ana randomly called to check in. It was serendipitous timing. The gorgeous estate had just agreed to host Joanna’s Quinceañera, and they were looking for a photographer.
Ana leapt at the opportunity.
“I was honored to be a part of Joanna’s wish,” she said. “I wanted to capture the day with detail, care and passion. Those memories will live forever. When Joanna looks back at the images, I want her to remember everything about that day – the way the flowers smelled, how the food tasted, how she felt in the dress. When she sees the photos, I want them to bring her right back to that day, and for those memories to fill her with joy.”
Ana and her husband, who happens to be a professional videographer, captured every beautiful, candid moment of Joanna’s fairytale. From the flowers to the intricate cake, the flowing gown to the first dance with her father. Every moment can be relived again and again.
“It was an amazing experience and an honor to be included,” she said.
See how your support changed Joanna’s life
Our Year
2022 Fiscal Year Summary
Special Thanks
Our Year: Celebrating 269 local children and their wishes
Thanks to your incredible giving last year, you transformed our community:
wish experiences were created in our territory for children from around the world.
new wish referrals were received by our local office
volunteers dedicated countless hours to turn wishes into reality.
Your generosity makes life-changing experiences possible
Statement of Activities
| Revenues, Gains and Other Support | $7,589,977 |
| Program Expenses | $5,000,699 |
| Fundraising | $1,478,254 |
| Management and General | $1,301,514 |
| Total Expenses | $7,780,467 |
| Net Surplus/(Deficit) | ($190,490) |
Direct program expenses were low this fiscal year due to a slowdown in wish delivery as a result of COVID restrictions.
To receive a copy of our 990 report, please contact us at 800.304.WISH or visit our website.
Special Thanks
Special Thanks
Special thanks to Joanna for allowing us to share her story. Thank you to Ana Karen Co., Oakshire Estate, wish-granting volunteers Denise Laevastu and Nari Weaver.
View a full listing of our Board of Trustees and Staff.
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