When Make-a-Wish South Carolina reached out to Charleston Women to be involved in the W.I.S.H. Society, I knew this was the start of a perfect partnership. As a “wish mom,” MAW-SC is near and dear to my heart.
When my youngest daughter Elaina was four years old, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). My little girl went through 28 months of chemotherapy treatments. There was missed school, play dates, birthday parties, family events, pool time and friendships. We became a tight family of four and cherished our time together. We prayed, and we surrounded Elaina with love. Elaina taught us what it means to be strong and brave. She rocked cancer and is now a healthy 14-year-old.
During the toughest days of her treatment, we were contacted by Make-A-Wish. Two amazing “wish granters” came to our house and asked Elaina (with her big sister Claire) to make a wish — something that would help her to forget about hospitals, doctors, needles and pills. Of course, Elaina wished to go to the “happiest place on Earth,” Disney World. We spent a week being treated like kings and queens by Mickey and beautiful Disney princesses. The memories of this family vacation will stay with us forever. Elaina and Claire had the best week of their lives, all because of the huge hearts of Make a Wish and those who support them.
On Thursday, May 2, a hundred women came together at the Harbour Club at Westedge to celebrate the 2024 W.I.S.H. Society honorees at their awards luncheon. The room was filled with so much happiness as women mingled and caught up with each other before sitting down to a delicious meal. The special guest speaker was wish mom Charlotte Guerry. Guerry shared the emotional journey of her daughter, Lila. When Lila had just turned 13, she was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. After many months of hospital stays and chemotherapy treatment, she was able to take her trip of a lifetime with her family to Hawaii, thanks to Make-A-Wish. Lila is now 16 and has completed treatment.
The W.I.S.H. Society (Women Inspiring Strength and Hope) recognizes dynamic women who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements and a steadfast commitment to fostering compassion and resilience within their communities each year. Upon nomination, each honoree embarks on a three-month campaign to raise funds aimed at granting the heartfelt wishes of children battling critical illnesses. Between the 11 women: Dr. Juliette Walker, Brooke Ryan, Emilie Zulhowski, Hart Peary, Karalyn Christman, Kimmy Powell, Lynn Tu, Mary Pate, Melissa Kubo, Natalie Host and Sandra Reyna, a total of $105,000 was raised, granting 14 wishes. Dr. Walker, who operates Paragon Pediatrics in Charleston, was honored as the woman of the year, surpassing all expectations by raising an impressive $18,342.
In the state of South Carolina, the average cost of a wish is $7,500, and there are nearly 400 kids waiting for their wish to be granted, 70 of them in the Lowcountry. MAW-SC is on track to grant at least 236 wishes this year.
Charleston Women and I are so honored to be a part of Make-A-Wish and call many of the W.I.S.H. Society women, our friends. I know that this foundation put smiles on my family’s face during a very difficult time. I look forward to becoming more involved in the future.
For more information about the W.I.S.H. Society and how you can support Make-A-Wish South
Carolina, please visit wish.org/sc/wish-society-women-inspiring-strength-hope.
By Stacey McLoughlin
