Make-A-Wish® Oregon WISHSTORIES OF HOPE, STRENGTH AND JOY

Some say a Make-A-Wish experience is memorable; others say it’s once-in-a-lifetime. For four-year-old Gideon, it was life-changing.

Before his wish, Gideon was very self-conscious about the scar that surgery had left on his face. “He actually would hide his face and he would tell me that he doesn’t want people to see him,” said his mom.

That changed on the day of his Make-A-Wish send-off party. Along with his family and friends, hundreds of monster trucks and hot rods showed up to support Gideon. For a little boy who loves cars, it was quite the scene. “He strutted up and down the parking lot, no longer self-conscious. He didn’t hide. It changed his life,” said his mom. Gideon had found his confidence.

That confidence stayed with him throughout his wish trip to Walt Disney World® Resort, where he rode the Tower of Terror, a fast-paced thrill ride. He also met some of his favorite characters including Lightning McQueen and Mater from the movie Cars.

The positive effects of his wish experience continue today - inspiring Gideon to help other

kids through his passion for cars. He received thousands of Hot Wheels® at his wish party, which he donated to children at hospitals in our area and in Mexico. Gideon’s mom said this experience opened doors

and new possibilities that he didn’t have before Make-A-Wish came into his life.

“AS A MOM, YOU COULDN’T ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE.”

LEENA’S JOURNEY TO MIDDLE EARTH

Sixteen-year-old Leena’s favorite storybook came to life on her wish to go see the Lord of the Rings movie set in New Zealand. She said that walking through Hobbiton felt like she was walking through a real village – from the tended vegetable gardens to the clothes on the clothesline. “It was just amazing!” said Leena, who thinks about her trip a lot. “It gave me something really happy that I can always remember.”

Leena’s mom said the greatest joy was watching her daughter have so much fun on the trip. She summed up the wish experience with one word: “happiness.”

Gideon, 4, CamasIllness: skin cancerI wish to go to Walt Disney World® Resort

WISH INSPIRES GIDEON TO HELP OTHERS

LETTER FROM LAILA – OREGON CHAPTER CEO We dedicate this newsletter to the memory of the wish children who have passed away in the past year. Each child has touched our lives and hearts. As always, it is our honor and privilege to serve such courageous children and their families.

OUR MISSION

Make-A-Wish® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

ABOUT OUR CHAPTER

Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of volunteers and donors, the special wishes of more than 3,100 local children have been fulfilled since the Oregon chapter began in 1983. Of each dollar spent in 2013, 84 cents were used for program services, 11 cents for fundraising and 5 cents for management.

If you’re interested in making a donation of time, money, product or service, please call 800-934-WISH or visit www.oregon.wish.org.

OUR THANKS

Sincere thanks to Lithtex Printing Solutions for discounting its printing services for the production of this newsletter.

Published by Make-A-Wish Oregon Also serving Clark County, Washington 2000 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 410 Portland, Oregon 97201 800-934-WISH www.oregon.wish.org

©2014, Make-A-Wish Oregon, Volume 29

Make-A-Wish Foundation®, Make-A-Wish®, Adopt-A-Wish®, Share the Power of a Wish®, Walk for Wishes®, Kids For Wish Kids®, Season of Wishes®, Wishes in Flight®, Wishmakers on Campus® and the swirl-and-star logo are all registered trademarks of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America.

All Rights Reserved.

Make-A-Wish Oregon celebrated its 3,000th wish in July 2014, with 18-year-old Aaron of Happy Valley who wished to meet the New York Yankees. To mark the special occasion, Aaron’s family, friends and teammates gathered at a Hillsboro Hops baseball game where Aaron, wearing a baseball jersey with his last name and the number 3,000 emblazoned on the back, threw the first pitch. The event was a celebration of many things – Aaron’s brave fight against brain cancer, his graduation from high school as a star athlete, his wish-come-true and his hope for the future. “Just be normal,” said Aaron. “That’s my next move.”

Thank you to everyone who has supported Make-A-Wish and made a difference in the lives of more than 3,000 local children.

CELEBRATING 3,000 WISHES

CONNECT WITH US

Join the conversation and share your Make-A-Wish story online. You can find us at: oregon.wish.org facebook.com/ORWish twitter.com/ORWish instagram.com/makeawishoregon#

Best wishes,

Laila Cook CEO Make-A-Wish Oregon

Photo courtesy of Amanda Miles/Hillsboro Tribune

If you could meet your idol, who would that be and what would you ask them? This summer I escorted a young man from Georgia who wished to meet Nike CEO Mark Parker. Tim qualifies for a wish because he has sickle cell disease, a condition that keeps him in the hospital and in pain a lot of the time. The Oregon chapter does not take part in a lot of wish assists (when a child from another chapter comes to Oregon for their wish experience), but this summer we ended up doing a record number of them. Tim’s wish stands out as a career highlight for me. The true honor was being a fly on the wall for this extraordinary connection between two of the most humble and strong people I have met. I think that was the basis for the instant connection between Mark and Tim. Nike has a beautiful campus and we were able to do a lot of behind the scenes experiences with the staff, but the highlight for Tim was a few minutes in Mark’s office when the entire room was moved to tears by the power of their connection. It was a moment I will never forget.

This is what I love most about Make-A-Wish - I truly believe that it brings out the best in people - donors, volunteers, staff members and even wish kids. Joy is a powerful thing and it is such an honor to lead an organization that brings more joy into this world. As we embark on a new year with aggressive growth plans to grant a wish to every eligible child in Oregon and Southwest Washington, I invite you to join me in helping us achieve this simple mission.

Tim and Mark in an emotional moment.

Make-A-Wish Oregon 3

VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT POSSIBLEVolunteers play a vital role in accomplishing our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child. From wish granting, event planning and photography, to office work, fundraising and translating, volunteers make it possible to share the power of a wish®.

So what does it mean to be a volunteer for Make-A-Wish? Here’s what some of our volunteers had to say.

CELEBRATING 3,000 WISHES

Make-A-Wish Oregon took to the catwalk to make Leslie’s wish come true on her fourteenth birthday. Leslie, who’s fighting lymphoma, wished for a cosplay wardrobe. Cosplay is short for costume play, a performance art where people dress up as their favorite characters.

The five custom-designed costumes were unveiled at a stylish red-carpet party and fashion show. Local cosplay fashion artist Angeline Abuyen designed the outfits based on Leslie’s favorite characters, while the team from the Portland Fashion and Style Awards Show helped Make-A-Wish create a picture-perfect setting for local models to showcase Leslie’s new outfits. Together, along with dozens of members of the cosplay and Comic Con community, they gave Leslie a birthday to remember.

“It’s pretty exciting. I’m really happy,” said Leslie after the fashion show. “Make-A-Wish gave me the opportunity to have something that’s… once in a lifetime.”

Volunteer wish granter Wendy Thompson worked with Leslie to make her dream into a reality. She said, “The journey allowed me to witness a very shy child gain confidence within the magical world of cosplay. This was a very powerful wish to be a part of.”

A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER

MAKE-A-WISH OREGONMAKE-A-WISH OREGON

“I’m touched beyond words by every family in different ways and am humbled to be associated with such an incredible organization. These children remind me what is important in life and to never take anything for granted.” - Amy

“I wanted to be part of a group… where I knew I was making a difference in people’s lives. After my first wish I saw the impact it made on the families, so I knew that I had made the right choice.” - Deanna

Make-A-Wish Oregon 3

“Being a part of Make-A-Wish is such a blessing since I was once a wish kiddo. It is so amazing to see the kids light up with joy when I’m able to grant their wish. There is nothing better than that feeling.” - Courtney

Jacob, 4, VancouverIllness: liver failure

I wish to go to LEGOLAND®

Riley, 11, PortlandIllness: optic glioma

I wish to have a rescue dog

Rayce, 3, WarrentonIllness: congenital cardiac condition

I wish to go on a Disney Cruise Line® cruise

Mazie, 5, BeavertonIllness: liver cancer

I wish to be a zookeeper Jose, 15, FairviewIllness: osteosarcoma

I wish to go on a shopping spree

Cesar, 12, Hood RiverIllness: Duchenne’s muscular

distrophyI wish to go to Walt Disney

World® Resort

Rylee, 4, TualatinIllness: congenital cardiac conditionI wish to go to Walt Disney World®

Resort

Liliana, 5, McMinnvilleIllness: acute lymphoid leukemiaI wish to go to Disneyland® Resort

Baybeblue, 7, MilwaukieIllness: neuromuscular disorder

I wish to be in a music video with my family

Markus, 4, Battle GroundIllness: acute lymphoid leukemia

I wish to have a play structure

Fynn, 5, VancouverIllness: acute lymphoid leukemia

I wish to go to SeaWorld®

JACOB

RILEY

RAYCEMAZIE

CESARRYLEE

LILIANA

JOSEPH

BAYBEBLUE

MARKUS

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Joseph, 11, FairviewIllness: Burkitt’s leukemia

I wish to go to New York City

Photo courtesy of Visual Aid Inc

JOSE

Myrsadi, 17, Sweet HomeIllness: neurological disorder

I wish to be a pop starJillie, 3, Canyon City

Illness: acute myeloid leukemiaI wish to have a mini farm with a chicken coop

Uba, 15, BeavertonIllness: acute lymphoid leukemia

I wish to go to the Vatican

Alex, 15, CamasIllness: lymphoblastic leukemia

I wish to have a gaming computer

Victoria, 4, BeavertonIllness: hematologic Disorder

I wish to go to Walt Disney World® Resort

Casey, 16, Myrtle CreekIllness: congenital cardiac condition

I wish to have an ATV

Fynn, 5, VancouverIllness: acute lymphoid leukemia

I wish to go to SeaWorld® Celeste, 14, VancouverIllness: mitochondrial disease

I wish to go on a shopping spree

Andrew, 5, PortlandIllness: acute myeloid leukemia

I wish to go to Schlitterbahn Water Park

MYRSADI

UBA

RYLEE

VICTORIA

CASEY

ALEX

FYNNCELESTE

ANDREW

Make-A-Wish Oregon expresses its sincere

thanks to Disneyland® Resort, Walt Disney World® Resort and The Walt Disney Company® for their generous in-kind support of making children’s wishes come true.

MAKE-A-WISH OREGON

Make-A-Wish Oregon 5

JILLIEJOSE

OTHER WAYS TO HELPThere are many ways to support Make-A-Wish Oregon. The Wishes in Flight® program allows air travelers to donate

frequent flier miles to the organization. Each year, more than 80 percent of wishes in Oregon and Southwest Washington involve travel. Your airline miles will help those wishes take flight. Once donated, your miles will never expire. Make-A-Wish Oregon accepts

miles from Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways. To donate your miles, go to oregon.wish.org

You can also make a local child’s wish come true by donating your vehicle, trailer, boat or RV through the Wheels for Wishes program. It’s easy and hassle-free. Plus, your donation may be tax deductible. To donate your vehicle, call 1-877-659-9474.

Turn your gift into a legacy that grants wishes for generations. By including Make-A-Wish Oregon in your estate plans, you can provide the resources necessary to grant inspiring wishes to children now and in the future. If you would like to include Make-A-Wish Oregon in your estate plans, you can use the following language:

“I give, devise and bequeath to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon (EIN: 82-0385049) located at 2000 SW 1st Ave, Suite 410, Portland, OR 97201 the sum of ____ dollars (or ____% of my estate, or the residual of my estate, or otherwise describe the gift) for the general purposes and uses of the Foundation at the discretion of the Board of Directors.”

For more information about a gift to the endowment or additional methods of giving, please contact Carynne Drake at 503-802-7846 or carynne@orwish.org.

6 oregon.wish.org

NEVER TOO YOUNG TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

This past school year students of all ages have made a life-changing impact on the lives of local children through the Kids For Wish Kids® and Wishmakers on Campus® programs. Both programs enable students to participate in philanthropy by creating and managing their own fundraising events. In 2014, the programs raised more than $105,000 throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. From preschool students to college groups, students joined together to bring hope, strength and joy to the brave children battling life-threatening medical conditions in their community. Learn how you can take part in these programs by visiting the Ways To Help section of oregon.wish.org.

LEAVE A LASTING IMPACT

Clockwise from top left: Students at Community Arts Preschool in Lake Oswego held a lemonade stand; The Psi Alpha Chapter of Chi Omega at the University of Oregon hosted “Chi-Olympics”; Students at Southridge High School in Beaverton kicked off their fundraising events with an assembly featuring wish kids Lily and Cason; Sublimity School hosted its annual penny drive, raising more than $5,000 with the support of the Sublimity community.

Join us in celebrating 31 years of granting wishes at Wish Ball, Make-A-Wish Oregon’s premier gala. It’s an opportunity to honor and support local children in their brave fight against a life-threatening medical condition. The gala takes place Saturday, October 25, 2014, at the Portland Art Museum.

Throughout the evening, you will have the chance to learn more about the magic that Make-A-Wish creates and listen to inspiring stories of hope from families whose lives have been transformed because of you.

Visit oregon.wish.org for more information about Wish Ball and to purchase tickets.

PCAOULLESTOTNI

T R I A L A T T O R N E Y S P C

MAKE-A-WISH OREGON

ADOPT-A-WISH® PARTNERS

The following is a partial listing of supporters who donated enough money to adopt wishes in their communities.

BEAVERTON HIGH SCHOOLVictoria, 4, Beaverton I wish to go to my favorite theme park

DUTCH BROS. COFFEE Dakota, 14, SelmaI wish to go to the Monterey Aquarium in California

JEBNER’S WISHWill, 15, Vancouver I wish to have a “kid kave”

MOUNTAIN WEST INVESTMENT CORPORATION Aiden, 3, Salem I wish to go to my favorite theme park

TONKIN FAMILY OF DEALERSHIPS Oliviah, 15, Portland I wish to go to Hawaii

COUNTRY FINANCIALDixie, 11, Oregon City

I wish to go on a Caribbean cruise

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The Season of Wishes campaign combines the spirit of holiday giving with the hope, strength and joy that is generated by a Make-A-Wish experience. Each December, businesses in our community host various fundraisers to support Make-A-Wish Oregon. You can help by taking part in these opportunities, because the best gift you can give this holiday season is a wish come true.

PRESENTED BY

Make-A-Wish Oregon is excited to announce a fun new program called Wish Art Parties. Children who have received a wish from Make-A-Wish Oregon are invited to come with their families and spend the afternoon at art studios around the Portland area to create artwork together.

Wish kids like seven-year-old Eloise, who is battling leukemia, came to the first wish art party that took place in July 2014. Using her own handprint, she painted a beautiful horse and explained that it is her favorite animal. Eloise’s wish to have her own playhouse was granted last year, and her mother described the best part of the wish for the family was watching how excited Eloise was when she ran into the playhouse for the first time.

Make-A-Wish Oregon is planning on hosting more parties. If your wish child is interested in attending the next party or if you would like more information on ways to get involved, contact the office at 503-292-2280 or magic@orwish.org.

INSPIRING ARTWORK

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 3460

Portland, ORMAKE-A-WISH® OREGONAlso Serving Clark County, Washington

2000 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 410

Portland, Oregon 97201

503-292-2280

800-934-WISH

fax 503-292-9423

oregon.wish.org