CAN DO KID
An Unexpected Wish By Beverly Perkins
M
ake-A-Wish® Southern Florida has granted more than 13,000 life-changing wishes since 1983 for children who have critical illnesses. The non-profit organization aims to grant a wish for every medically eligible child in its territory. Typically, there are five types of wish requests: “I wish to be” (something), “I wish to meet” (someone), “I wish to go” (somewhere), “I wish to have” (something), and “I wish to give” (to a cause). However, one of the most recent wishes surprised ever yone. Cole Vaccarella, a 17-yearold cancer survivor from Davie, did not want anything; He wanted to do the giving. His wish was to give back to those that helped him during his battle with cancer. He chose to donate the Cole Vaccarella average cost of a
wish ($5,000) to the Sarcoma Patient Assistance Fund at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to help children receive treatment that may not be fully covered by insurance. Vincent Vaccarella, Julie Kasen, Cole Vaccarella, Marguerite Rogers, The generous teen’s wish to Tracy Vaccarella. Photo Credit: “Make-a-Wish Southern Florida” give back was celebrated with a check presentation ceremony medical staff, and treatment at Nicklaus with where he reunited with his primary oncologist, saving his life and he wants others that may Dr. Maggie Fader, and joined Make-A-Wish not have the financial means to have the same representatives in presenting a check to the opportunities as he did. children’s hospital’s non-profit foundation to “Cole took a devastating sickness and he put it assist cancer patients and their families. to be a minority on his course of recovery. I was “I wanted to help others get the same so moved that he wanted to share his fortune treatment I did. I got really good care and it with others,” explained Norm Wedderburn, helped my healing process,” explained Cole. President & CEO, Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. “I contributed as much as I can to help those “The wishes we grant aren’t just nice, they’re get the care I did. It feels nice to know that I’m necessary. Research shows the anticipation of helping others who are going through what a wish and memories made during them can I did. I’m thankful for everything I have and have a positive and significant impact on the grateful for all I received.” health and well-being of the children, families, The philanthropic survivor went on to share and extended networks we reach.” his medical journey and the reasons behind For more information on Make-A-Wish® his desire to donate. He credits the doctors, Southern Florida, please visit www.sfla.wish.org.
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