Fortunately, she responded very well to treatment and quickly went into remission.
When the hospital social worker said that Ani was eligible for a wish, she knew exactly what she wanted: a playhouse. Wish-granting volunteer, Lisa Carlson, worked with a construction company that would build the playhouse. “They built it full size with the hope and belief she would grow up to be an adult,” remembers Lisa.
Today, the playhouse still stands. Ani, now a young adult, plans to become a cosmetologist and has turned it into her makeup studio.
“Make-A-Wish means hope," says wish mom, Benita. “I feel like I still have post-traumatic stress disorder from my daughter's cancer diagnosis and treatment. The devastation that cancer families go through, you can't imagine.”
Benita gives back by contributing to her employee giving program and is adding Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington to her will. “Make-A-Wish is my charity of choice, and I want to bring hope to children and families in the future.”
For more information about how a planned gift could change your life and support the life-changing work of Make-A-Wish, visit or contact Lauren Martin at 206.623.5312.