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| 2012 Wish Ball at the UIC Forum |
The evening's theme - "Where Wishes Take Flight" - was reflected in the pilots' hats that all Make-A-Wish staff and volunteers wore, as well as in the video clips of many of the "Wish" children that were filmed at Midway International Airport.
CDA Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino accepted the "Leader in Joy" award for the CDA's role in granting children's wishes since 2010. The CDA, in partnership with AirTran/Southwest, US Airways, United Airlines, the Chicago Fire Department (CFD), the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), helped fulfill the wishes of several children and their families at O'Hare and Midway International Airports.
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| Make-A-Wish IL Board Chair Jeff Young and Commissioner Andolino |
Guests at the event heard remarks from Ray Wehr, a local "Wish" father who told the moving story of his young son, Collin. The boy was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was granted his wish to act as reporter for the Chicago Bears Network.
Wehr's comments about "the power of the wish" were echoed by Wish Ball attendees Marc Wright, CDA Coordinator of Special Projects, Finance Projects, and his wife, Tanya.
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Janae Wright and the Jonas Brothers |
In December of 2009, their 15-year-old daughter Janae was granted a wish to meet the popular Jonas Brothers musical trio in Los Angeles.
"Make-A-Wish is No. 1 when it comes to making dreams come true. They provided everything anyone could possibly ask for in a trip. The biggest thing on this fascinating journey that I will always remember is the joy Janae had when she was finally able to meet the Jonas Brothers," Wright said. "It was a pleasure to attend the Wish Ball. The event's aviation theme and watching Commissioner Andolino being honored was really amazing."
The spectacular evening's festivities included cocktails, dinner, and a musical performance by the Wheaton Warrenville South Show Choir, a raffle, and live and silent auctions that netted more than $350,000 in less than an hour. Access Hollywood personality Billy Bush emceed the event, actor and comedian David Spade performed a special stand-up set and the Dan Hayes Orchestra closed out the evening with lively dance music.
The annual Make-A-Wish gala helps generate funds to support wishes granted to Illinois children with life-threatening medical conditions, enriching the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
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| "Wish" children Naya,Akira, Andre and Julio. |
Last year, Make-A-Wish Illinois granted 766 wishes across the state and plans to grant even more this year. Wishes are granted to children with life-threatening medical conditions such as cancer, heart conditions, muscular dystrophy, renal disease and many more. Wishes can be an important part of the treatment process, empowering children to make decisions and providing strength to comply with medical treatments.
You can get involved with Make-A-Wish Illinois by becoming a volunteer and you can also donate your airline miles to give children the chance to travel. For more information about how you can help make wishes come true, please visit http://www.wishes.org/.
