ORION, Illinois — An Orion teen living with lymphoma was granted her wish to visit Hawaii through the Make-A-Wish Illinois program.
Ava, 16, was diagnosed with the blood cancer in January 2015 and has continued to stay active with volleyball and participating in her school’s spirit squad.
Her wish was to see clear blue water in Hawaii with her parents and two brothers. The family arrived by limo to the airport before enjoying parasailing, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling and riding ATVs on the island.
“Ava’s wish made the best out of a terrible situation. Ava’s brother is going to college in the fall, and the wish was the perfect way to bring the entire family together,” said her mother Amy.
Make-A-Wish Illinois grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions through financial support of individual, community and corporate donations.
Walk for Wishes Moline
Make-A-Wish Illinois is hosting Walk for Wishes on Saturday, June 4, at the Ben Butterworth Parkway Pavilion in Moline. General registration is free and both individuals and teams can participate. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite character.
The event hosts a 1 or 2 mile walk around the riverfront area beginning at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments, music and entertainment will be available and prizes will be awarded for the top fundraisers and the best costumes.
All funds raised at this event will benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois. For more information, visit www.walkrunwish.org.
