Shop ‘Till You Smile

Make-A-Wish® Connecticut granted 18-year-old Jayden Edward’s wish to go on a shopping spree.

Jayden is a spunky upbeat 18-year-old with a passion for fashion, sports, and video games. When Jayden was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2019, he did not let it affect his vibrant personality and contagious smile.

With his loving family of eleven at home, Jayden never had a lack of support. After months of uncertainty, Jayden was gratefully ecstatic about his wish to go on an all-expense-paid shopping spree. “When somebody else cares, that is a big help,” says, Jayden’s dad James.

Jayden was able to travel to some of his favorite stores at the Westfarms Mall in West Hartford including Apple, Michaels Jewelers, Nordstrom, Foot Locker, and GameStop, feeling almost like Will Smith, his favorite celebrity.

Jayden even picked out a fancy, glittering jacket which matched his unique, outgoing personality perfectly. He can be seen smiling through his mask as he models his new outfit for his supporters. This was a day Jayden will never forget.

While he loves to play basketball, video games and watch Family Guy, this fearless teen’s wish provided him with a new sense of happiness and excitement about life. His dad also says, “Jayden is a big help in encouraging the family because he’s just trying to live life.”

Every child deserves a childhood. Wishes like Jayden’s are happening and need YOU now more than ever. Although we have had to postpone more than 150 wishes due to the current global health crisis, we are innovating rapidly to grant wishes in new and safe ways across the state - wishes like Jayden’s shopping spree, puppies, room makeovers, playhouses, and pools. Your gift will deliver hope and strength to a child in your community who needs a wish today. Donate now at ct.wish.org.

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH CONNECTICUT

Make-A-Wish® Connecticut creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers across the state currently grant nearly 250 wishes a year. Since 1986, Make-A-Wish Connecticut has granted more than 3,400 wishes to local children. For more information about Make-A-Wish Connecticut, visit ct.wish.org.