I wish to have a ride-on toy car
Feofan
3
cancer
Alaska Airlines Goes the Extra Mile for Feofan and Other Wish Kids
Alaska Airlines has been supporting wishes for as long as we’ve been granting them at Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington. Think plane flights and VIP experiences for wish kids in the flight deck. Stories of kindness from flight attendants, pilots, gate agents, and donors.
While 2020 and 2021 offered fewer flight experiences for wish children due to the constraints of COVID-19, Alaska Airlines continued working tirelessly to deliver their signature wish JOY to kids like Feofan.
In some ways, Feofan is a typical 3-year-old boy. He loves trucks, airplanes, Paw Patrol, and going for rides on his grandpa’s side-by-side ATV. He’s got a big smile and enjoys playing outside in Alaska.
What you might not realize is that Feofan has been battling cancer for more than half of his short life. Diagnosed with a Wilms tumor in early 2020, Feofan’s daily routine became filled with medical appointments, treatment, recovery—all in the midst of a global pandemic.
The first leg of Feofan's ride-on toy's journey began in Seattle. Longtime Make-A-Wish supporter, Evan Cottingham, brought some holiday cheer to Alaska Airlines' employees as he dropped the toy off in his Santa gear.
When Feofan found out he could receive a wish, he knew he wanted something that would bring him outdoor joy. That’s why he wished to have a ride-on toy car that matched his grandpa’s Polaris side-by-side ATV. He imagined what it would be like to travel with his grandpa in matching vehicles.
At first blush, Make-A-Wish staff members thought Feofan’s wish would be easy to fulfill. But, due to strains on the supply chain, they faced some unexpected challenges in getting the toy from the manufacturer to his home.
A whole community rallied behind the scenes to make Feofan’s wish come true, including Alaska Airlines.
This longtime partner generously transported Feofan’s ride-on toy car north to Alaska. It took several flights and a relay of staff and volunteers to deliver his toy car to an excited little boy.
Feofan’s wish came true on a stormy night in late December. Local first responders delivered Feofan’s toy car on its final leg of the journey. A parade of local fire trucks, police cars, and even an ambulance drove through the parking lot to celebrate the grit and determination of little Feofan.
“It was crazy how everybody came together for him,” said his mom, Melania. “It literally felt like we were in a Christmas Hallmark movie! Our eyes filled with tears as we pulled up to the parking lot filled with flashing red and blue lights. We were greeted by the wish granters and team! The firefighters even took us for a little ride; both of our boys got to experience a ride in an actual fire truck! I have to say it was an amazing memory I will never forget and we are so grateful... 2020 was a hard year full of chemo appointments, needles, physical and emotional pain. Watching our 2-year-old son go through something no child should have to endure. So thank you, Make-A-Wish and Alaska Airlines for ending our year in the most amazing celebration!”
Behind that sweet smile on a snowy night, we know there were so many people who made Feofan ’s wish come true.
People like wish-granting volunteer and Alaska Airlines employee, Theresa Turcotte. Theresa has been working with wish kids for as long as she’s been an employee at Alaska Airlines—nearly 11 years.
When she first saw wish families come through the airport, she recalls being captured by the relief in the family’s eyes to be doing something fun instead of spending time in hospitals or sick at home. The excitement that she witnessed made her want to get more involved with Make-A-Wish, and she decided to become a wish-granting volunteer in 2019.
Whether being a part of wishes as an Alaska Airlines employee or a wish-granting volunteer, Theresa believes in the long-lasting impact of wishes in her own life. She said, “As a wish-granting volunteer, you get so much more than you give. You get to be a part of something that’s so joyful, and I love it.”
We’re thankful to Alaska Airlines and the rest of the community for delivering Feofan’s wish come true.
Feofan’s mom said, “To receive a wish showed us how much people care.”
If you'd like to join Theresa in making wishes come true for children like Feofan, start your volunteer journey today!
Special Thanks: Alaska Airlines, wish-granting volunteers Theresa Turcotte and Trisha Pedro.
