By Make-A-Wish Oregon | Community Outreach
It all started with a sore knee. Two weeks later, David couldn’t walk. A week after that, they received the diagnosis of cancer. “When they told us it was cancer, our whole world turned upside down,” said Racheal, David’s mom. Three months after the diagnosis, his left femur was amputated and David went through chemotherapy, physical therapy, psychological therapy, work with prothesis and many other treatments. In March 2021, David was referred to Make-A-Wish Oregon and his wish journey began.
As a young boy, David would live for the moment he heard a roar of an F-15 flying overhead. His family lived near the Air Force Academy and David said, “I’ve always wanted to be a pilot. I’m obsessed with planes!” David’s unimaginable diagnosis could’ve threatened that dream, but he turned his dream into a reality through his wish-come-true.
After pouring himself into his wish planning, he came up with a very detailed wish: The Ultimate Game Room Makeover equipped with a flight simulator. “This is important to me because it has been my dream to become a [online] streamer and learn how to fly,” David said.
Little did David know that his wish experience would be more than the plans for his room. At a lunch with his Make-A-Wish wish granting volunteers, he was zipped away for a VIP experience at the Oregon Air National Guard Base. “His dream has always been to fly a jet in the Air Force. The fact he’s here now is all the dreams come true today, “said his mom, Racheal.
David was able to see and feel the thunderous boom of the planes and watch from the tarmac as the fleet took flight just for him. He then sat in the cockpit of a fighter jet and had an exclusive tour of the base. “It’s very emotional. It’s been a rough year for him. Getting to see him where he’s just enthralled and forgets everything else means the world to me,” said Racheal. However, that was just the beginning – his room makeover reveal day was still to come!
David was practically speechless at his Ultimate Game Room Makeover reveal. “Oh, oh, oh… no way!” were David’s first words the moment he saw his new room. It featured everything he sketched up, including a flight simulator game to help him pursue his dreams. “This is the most amazing moment of my life,” said David. “I got everything I ever wanted and more. I don’t think I will ever come out of my room again.”
David’s wish has given him the opportunity to keep pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot, from the comfort of his own home, and in November 2021, David rang the bell to celebrate the end of his chemotherapy. David has joy and hope for the future thanks to supporters like you.
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