Granted Wishes
A Heart Of Gold | Holiday Heating | Brothers Forever | Colton's Courage | For The Troops | A Wish For Wheels | A Wish For Burn Survivors | A Helping Hand | For The Children | A WWE Wish For William | The Miracle Of Life | Home Is Where The Heart Is | My Angel In Heaven | A Mother's Love | Just Like Sisters | Kenny & Me | Looking Through The "Eyes" Of Love | The Cats Meow | A Wish For Joey | Life's Second Chances
A Heart Of Gold - Granted
Imagine the fear of anyone going through a heart transplant. Imagine that fear for a 13 year old girl. Cardiomyopathy, cardiomegaly and myocardial infarction are all terms that most people will never hear in their entire lifetime. Alexandra Courville has heard them numerous times as they are conditions she has experienced and continues to fight against. Alex was born with a hole in her heart. She had her first open-heart surgery at age 7 months. After complications from surgery and as the years went on, it was never a question of if, but when she would need to be placed on the heart transplant list. Through all her struggles, this little girl remained strong and positive. And she had just one wish; to meet her hero, NFL Quarterback, Brady Quinn. Granted Wish was able to make that dream a reality when Quinn paid a surprise visit to Alex just four days after her heart transplant surgery. Alexandra recalls the "happiest day of her life."
Read what this brave little girl has to say:
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Holiday Heating - Granted
Throughout the holiday season, Granted Wish received numerous wish requests from disadvantaged individuals and families who were struggling to keep warm. With the help from one of our Sponsors, Heat Surge, a division of Arthur Middleton Capital Holdings, Granted Wish was able to provide Heat Surge Fireplace Units to several individuals and families to make their holidays a little brighter.
Read what many of the recipients had to say:
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Brothers Forever - Granted
When we think of brothers, we generally think of being related by blood. But there is another kind of brothers; the ones that you grow up with and are best friends for life; the ones that become part of your family and you theirs. This was the case for a young man in his early 30's with terminal cancer. Philip "Cheech" Sheldon had one special wish; he wanted to attend an NFL Football game of his favorite team and player, The Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Rothlisberger with his three best friends. When Granted Wish learned of his wish, we contacted the organization. "Cheech" and his friends were set to attend a game. In addition, Granted Wish was attending a benefit for "Cheech" and would present him with Steelers memorabilia and a special, personally autographed football from his hero, Ben Rothlisberger. Sadly, "Cheech's" conditioned worsened and he was unable to attend the game or the benefit. He did receive our care package which brightened his remaining days. Sadly, "Cheech" left us much too early; but his friends let us know that Granted Wish brightened his remaining days. May you rest in peace "Cheech".
Colton's Courage - Granted
Medical bills for a devastating illness can be overwhelming to a family. It is especially hard for the family of a 4-year old little boy from Iowa diagnosed with Neroblastoma, a form of cancer affecting children. Fundraisers and benefits were organized in his town and Granted Wish was very happy to donate a Heat Surge Fireplace Unit to be auctioned at a benefit for Colton.
Here is what his loving dad, Todd, had to say:
For The Troops - Granted
Each year, 50 young men and women gather at The Young Chefs Academy to mix, bake and package over 170 boxes of chocolate chip and sinkerdoodle cookies for our troops overseas. Over 8400 cookies are sent to those men and women who are serving our country. Granted Wish was honored to do our part in thanking our troops for their loyalty and service by providing the shipping for these wonderful cookies the young chefs created. All the boxes were driven to Camp Pendleton in California and then shipped overseas to our troops.
Read what the owner of The Young Chef's Academy had to say:
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A Wish For Wheels - Granted
It's easy to think of your children riding a little bike with training wheels and then graduating to larger bicycles as they grew. Sandra Phillips wanted the same thing for her son. Shawn is a 27 year old who suffers from cerebral palsy and autism. Granted Wish was so happy to be involved with finding a special bike just for Shawn to enjoy riding in the spring and summer breeze, just like many of us take for granted.
Read what his grateful Mother has to say:
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A Wish For Burn Survivors - Granted
The Granted Wish Foundation is proud to grant a wish to Burn Survivors Throughout The World.
Read CEO, Michael Appleman's heartfelt story:
A Helping Hand - Granted
There are unfortunately many people who must endure the struggles of working 10-12 hours a day just to make ends meet. We may come across a special individual who never complains and would do anything in their power to help someone else, even though they may be the one in need. Sometimes a string of bad luck may accompany such an individual and it seems that all hope is lost. Granted Wish was happy to come to the aid of such an individual by easing their burden of a transportation issue in order for them to continue working to make a living.
For The Children - Granted
The Granted Wish Foundation was so pleased to be of assistance to a young woman's mission trip to aid the children of the Philippines. With the foundations guidance, Elisha was able to lead the worship and work in the children's school. Her group was able to provide meals, clothing and school supplies for the local schools. Her dream of giving back to the children was fulfilled!
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A WWE Wish For William - Granted
Imagine looking out the window to watch all the neighborhood teens gather and enjoy the day. Going outside and joining in on all the fun seems like an easy solution, but not to William. William has been suffering with Lupus since the age of 12. William is now 18 and has been homebound for several years, suffering from depression, and possible blindness from glaucoma in his left eye. William is now approaching adulthood and is seeing a new light. He graduated school in June of 2008 with honors and his views on life, and his struggles, are no longer holding him back. Gretta Smith, William's mother, wanted nothing more than for William to receive one last wish to keep his spirits high and his head higher. Gretta reached out to The Granted Wish Foundation to help grant William's life long wish: to see the WWE Superstars live. The Granted Wish Foundation provided William with four WWE tickets to see the stars in Norfolk, VA and finally join in on all the fun. The foundation was overwhelmed with joy when Gretta informed us of William's excitement and his new found confidence. The Granted Wish Foundation was thrilled to provide William and his mother with the happiness they deserve.
Read William's story and kind words from William's mother, Gretta
The Miracle Of Life - Granted
The Rodriguez family was living a normal happy life. The young couple had one 2 year old son and another child on the way. That all changed one day in August when the loving husband and father, Jairo was involved in a horrific work-related accident; A concrete wall fell on top of him, crushing his skull. His life hung in the balance. But Jairo was a survivor and he had the love and prayers of his adoring family. After nine months and two surgeries, this loving father and husband returned home to his wife, Jessie, son Noah and newborn baby, Isaiah. When Granted Wish heard of this families struggles, we were there to ease their burden. The foundation delivered countless bags of groceries, household items and baby needs to last the family for a long time. Jairo and his sons were there when the delivery was made... The miracle of life stood before us with the biggest smile, the warmest heart and never ending gratitude for helping his family.
Read the Rodriguez family's story and kind words from Jairo's wife, Jessie:
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Home Is Where The Heart Is - Granted
Imagine losing everything you own in the world to a house fire. Imagine your vocal cords burnt from the smoke and fire. Imagine not having a family to help you. Joe experienced this devastating loss. Everything he owned is gone. He had to start his life completely over. But he had his life... and he had his big heart. The Granted Wish Foundation was there for Joe. He was taken to a local store in his area and sent on a shopping spree to help replace some of what he lost. To Joe, it was like winning the lottery; to The Granted Wish Foundation, it was filling his big heart ten times the size of any house!
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My Angel In Heaven - Granted
There is never a time where the loss of a loved one is ever easy. But imagine a sudden loss and not possessing the funds to provide a funeral or burial. Imagine having to park on a street corner with signs adorning your vehicle begging for help with the funds to bury your loved one. That is exactly what William had to do. When Granted Wish became aware of the situation, we came to the rescue. We made arrangements to help cover the funeral cost so his wife could be buried without further delay. Though William's pain is deep, a heavy burden has been lifted for him. His healing process has begun knowing that his Angel is now in heaven.
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A Mother's Love - Granted
How can you put a price on a mother's love for her son? Mary's son, Ronald, lost his wife three years ago. On top of that, he is on kidney dialysis and is awaiting a kidney transplant. Mary just wanted to make her son a little more comfortable and contacted Granted Wish regarding a warm portable fireplace unit that would help her son. Without hesitation The Granted Wish Foundation had a beautiful oak mantle heating unit sent directly to her son. There is nothing like a mother's love!
Read what Mary and Ronald had to say
Just Like Sisters - Granted
It doesn't matter to Gloria Hull that Connie Hensley is just her sister-in-law; to Gloria, Connie Is her sister. Connie Hensley has had two heart operations, is on dialysis three times a week which is a 100 mile one-way trip, and lives with her husband, Wayne, who disabled. Snow is abundant in their area and the days and nights are very cold. Gloria wanted to do what she could to make her "sister" more warm and comfortable so she contacted Granted Wish to see what we could do. A beautiful Heat Surge heater with an oak mantle was sent to Connie. There is nothing like a sister!
Kenny & Me - GRANTED
Kenny Rogers' biggest fan, Helen Marsh, a mentally challenged woman, had a dream and a wish to sing with Kenny Rogers on stage. "I just wanted to sing with Kenny Rogers, they all told me - impossible. My wish was granted and I have my brother Orville to thank for telling them about my dream." Helen Marsh, a winner of the Roving Excellence Award for the mentally challenged, had her wish granted!
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Looking Through The "Eyes" Of Love - Granted
A 25 year old man with cystic fibrosis had his life changed. Patrick McGuiness was born with a congenital heart defect and cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening disorder that causes severe lung damage and nutritional deficiencies. Unable to obtain traditional medical insurance and unable to pay many necessary procedures were postponed. But Patrick had one condition that could be cured. His corneas were too thin, and his nearsightedness had worsened over the years. Laser surgery known as PRK could reshape the surface of his corneas, restoring clearer vision. Granted Wish enabled Patrick to see the world in a whole new light.
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The Cats Meow - Granted
The Granted Wish Foundation came to the rescue of the "Cats Purrfect Rescue" animal shelter by granting their wish for safety heaters to keep the animals warm without harm. Heat Surge units were sent to the shelter in Whitestone New York. Granted Wish is proud to be a part of saving lives of all God's creatures!
Read what the shelter's Director, Jacqueline D'Elia had to say
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A Wish For Joey - Granted
Everyone who meets Joey falls in love with him. We guarantee you will too. Joey is a two year old boy with spinal muscular atrophy. He is confined to a wheelchair and was in need of a wheelchair ramp to make it easier for his parents, Ashley and Christopher. The Granted Wish "Teens For Dreams" Program came to the rescue. Two Ohio rival schools joined together to raise money for Joey's ramp. The three-week event culminated in the annual basketball game between the two schools where Joey and his family were in attendance. A halftime presentation with Joey was made to the capacity filled crowd. As Joey entered, the student bodies chanted, "Joey, Joey, Joey." His smile lit up the entire room as the crowd rose to their feet with thunderous applause. At that moment, the entire world seemed to fall in love with Joey!
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Life's Second Chances - Granted
Imagine not seeing your child for six years... Imagine making a mistake, but being given a second chance to make things right. That is just what The Granted Wish Foundation was able to do for Andy. There is nothing like a mother or fathers love and reuniting a father and a son after six long years was the substance that dreams are made of.
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