Ballerina Dreaming

Make-A-Wish® Connecticut granted Elyana Bayor’s wish to have dance lessons.

Elyana is an upbeat, energetic five-year-old who doesn’t let her cancer stop her from pursuing her dreams of being a shining ballerina. This little ball of energy loves to dance and play all day and performs in her tutus every chance she gets. Elyana’s mom shares that “when I asked her ‘do you wish to become a star?’ she said, ‘Yes Mommy I can dance, Mommy I love to dance’”.

The smile on Elyana’s face when her wish for dance lessons was granted filled the hearts of her parents and supporters. Before her classes even began, Elyana got to choose her own elegant pink dress with a glittering tutu! This dancing queen was ecstatic to be learning and dancing with other little ballerinas her age. “When I go drop her off, she’s dancing with all her classmates, she’s smiling, and she forgets about whatever she is going through,” says Elyana’s mom.

Dancing isn’t Elyana’s only passion, as she also loves Rapunzel, playing hide n’ seek, watching Toy Story and eating chicken nuggets! Elyana’s dad says, “It’s a blessing to see her happy, enjoying life and being positive.”

This five-year-old definitely does not let her cancer define her. Elyana’s wish to have dance lessons will continue to keep her strong and healthy so she can dance her way to a successful and hopeful life!

This holiday season, Make-A-Wish® Connecticut is calling on families across the state to create a new tradition of delivering hope and joy to children fighting critical illnesses, like Elyana, through a new Families For Wishes activation. For a child fighting a critical illness, every day of waiting for a wish is one too many. To learn more about Make-A-Wish Connecticut and how to make life-changing wishes possible for children with critical illnesses by joining a Families For Wishes team, visit ct.wish.org/families