Make-A-Wish Foundation Brings Hope to Merrimack Valley Children
Emma Morelle knew what she wanted.
When asked to name her No. 1 wish, the 6-year-old Haverhill girl said she wanted a vacation on Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Dream. Emma had seen ads for the gleaming, 4,000-passenger ship, complete with its 765-foot waterslide. But travel for Emma and her family is complicated. She has mitochondrial disease, a genetic condition with symptoms that include muscle weakness and gastrointestinal issues. Emma tires more easily than other children and has also had seizures.
In October, Emma’s wish came true. Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Emma, her parents and her 11-year-old sister, Madison, went on a four-night, Disney Dream cruise to the Bahamas. Emma rode the AquaDuck water coaster, had a private meeting with Mickey Mouse and swam with dolphins on Paradise Island.
“It was amazing. Everyone went out of their way to make things special,” says Andy Currier, Emma’s father. For a family that spends countless hours traveling to Boston for medical appointments and juggling the jam-packed schedules of two school-age girls, the vacation provided a well-timed break. “It was nice to have five days where we could just be,” Currier says.
Emma is one of about 400 children with life-threatening medical conditions who will have wishes fulfilled this year by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Disney trips are the most common request, with other wishes ranging from bedroom makeovers to meeting star athletes to crab fishing in Alaska.
Emma, with sister Madison and father Andy, swims with the dolphins during her vacation to the Bahamas on the Disney Dream. Photos courtesy Andy Currier
“It’s our goal to fulfill a wish for every child in our territory,”
says Julie Abel, director of program services for Make-a-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “There’s a lot of emotion when you witness a child experiencing their wish being fulfilled – joy, hope. It is a change of focus for them. And it’s all positive.”
The foundation’s work is carried out by a core staff, with help from hundreds of volunteers and support from businesses, organizations and individual donors. On average, it costs about $6,500 to fulfill a single wish for children in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Abel says.
“We feel privileged to be able to contribute in a small way to such a great organization,” says Mark Mollica, President of Black Tie Limousine. Photo by Kevin Harkins.
Mark Mollica, president of Black Tie Limousine in Haverhill, has been supporting the program for more than 20 years. His chauffeurs transport children and their families in stretch limousines to the airport, on shopping trips, to concerts and other destinations. Since 2001, his company has provided transportation to more than 500 “wish” children.
“It’s always touched my heart. The excitement and the look on the child’s face when the limousine pulls up are priceless,” Mollica says.
In addition to the joy of swimming with dolphins or the thrill of flying down a waterslide, the experience of having a wish granted can have a significant impact on the child’s health, according to Julie Baron, chief executive officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire.
A Make-A-Wish Foundation of America study released in 2010 found that having a wish granted often marks a turning point for children in their fight against their illness, Baron says.
“It gives them hope and improves their state of mind. They feel less isolated and are more empowered and ready to fight back,” she says.
For Emma Morelle and her family, living in the moment and experiencing the joy of simply being together on their cruise was a wish come true.
“It’s touched every one of us,” Currier says. “It’s something we will never forget.”
There are many ways to get involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, from donating airline miles to volunteering as a wish coordinator, sharing carpentry or photography skills, or hosting fundraisers. For more information, go to www.MassRI.wish.org
or www.NewHampshire.wish.org.
Community Spotlight – Making Dreams Come True
Emma Morelle knew what she wanted.
When asked to name her No. 1 wish, the 6-year-old Haverhill girl said she wanted a vacation on Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Dream. Emma had seen ads for the gleaming, 4,000-passenger ship, complete with its 765-foot waterslide. But travel for Emma and her family is complicated. She has mitochondrial disease, a genetic condition with symptoms that include muscle weakness and gastrointestinal issues. Emma tires more easily than other children and has also had seizures.
In October, Emma’s wish came true. Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Emma, her parents and her 11-year-old sister, Madison, went on a four-night, Disney Dream cruise to the Bahamas. Emma rode the AquaDuck water coaster, had a private meeting with Mickey Mouse and swam with dolphins on Paradise Island.
“It was amazing. Everyone went out of their way to make things special,” says Andy Currier, Emma’s father. For a family that spends countless hours traveling to Boston for medical appointments and juggling the jam-packed schedules of two school-age girls, the vacation provided a well-timed break. “It was nice to have five days where we could just be,” Currier says.
Emma is one of about 400 children with life-threatening medical conditions who will have wishes fulfilled this year by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Disney trips are the most common request, with other wishes ranging from bedroom makeovers to meeting star athletes to crab fishing in Alaska.
Emma, with sister Madison and father Andy, swims with the dolphins during her vacation to the Bahamas on the Disney Dream. Photos courtesy Andy Currier
“It’s our goal to fulfill a wish for every child in our territory,”
says Julie Abel, director of program services for Make-a-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “There’s a lot of emotion when you witness a child experiencing their wish being fulfilled – joy, hope. It is a change of focus for them. And it’s all positive.”
The foundation’s work is carried out by a core staff, with help from hundreds of volunteers and support from businesses, organizations and individual donors. On average, it costs about $6,500 to fulfill a single wish for children in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Abel says.
“We feel privileged to be able to contribute in a small way to such a great organization,” says Mark Mollica, President of Black Tie Limousine. Photo by Kevin Harkins.
Mark Mollica, president of Black Tie Limousine in Haverhill, has been supporting the program for more than 20 years. His chauffeurs transport children and their families in stretch limousines to the airport, on shopping trips, to concerts and other destinations. Since 2001, his company has provided transportation to more than 500 “wish” children.
“It’s always touched my heart. The excitement and the look on the child’s face when the limousine pulls up are priceless,” Mollica says.
In addition to the joy of swimming with dolphins or the thrill of flying down a waterslide, the experience of having a wish granted can have a significant impact on the child’s health, according to Julie Baron, chief executive officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire.
A Make-A-Wish Foundation of America study released in 2010 found that having a wish granted often marks a turning point for children in their fight against their illness, Baron says.
“It gives them hope and improves their state of mind. They feel less isolated and are more empowered and ready to fight back,” she says.
For Emma Morelle and her family, living in the moment and experiencing the joy of simply being together on their cruise was a wish come true.
“It’s touched every one of us,” Currier says. “It’s something we will never forget.”
There are many ways to get involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, from donating airline miles to volunteering as a wish coordinator, sharing carpentry or photography skills, or hosting fundraisers. For more information, go to www.MassRI.wish.org
or www.NewHampshire.wish.org.