Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic Grants Local Boy's Wish to have a Play set on World Wish Day®

Washington, DC (May 2, 2017) – Local wish kid, 8-year-old Neo, celebrated the granting of his wish to have a playset on World Wish Day®, Saturday, April 29. Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called retinoblastoma in 2010, Neo has bravely endured multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and ultimately the removal of one of his eyes. While his childhood should have been blissful and carefree, Neo was forced to put on a brave face and remain strong in the face of serious health complications

Following a referral to Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic in 2016, Neo’s family was contacted by Wish Granting volunteers who set up a time to meet with the family to learn all about Neo and his one true wish. Neo’s parents shared that while Neo loves going to his neighborhood playground, it’s difficult for him to navigate given his limited vision. He loves the movement of the swings, sliding down the slides and the seesaw, but all of these activities are made difficult when the playground is crowded and busy. With this information in mind, Neo’s family shared Neo’s one true wish to have his very own playset in his backyard.

On Saturday, Neo and his family eagerly awaited the big reveal. Kept secret during installation, Neo was thrilled to look outside and find his own brightly colored playset waiting for him in his backyard. Complete with a rock wall, slide, a bouncy ball and more, Neo’s custom playset was everything he dreamed of and more.

Local vendor, Lakeview Sheds and Vinyl Products, provided a discount to turn Neo’s wish into a reality, and Papa John’s discounted pizzas for the big reveal party.

Neo’s mom, Pettrice, shared, “We are very thankful to Make-A-Wish for making this Wish come true. The playset is going to have a positive impact on the whole family. It allows Neo to have more freedom at home, and it also enables Neo to have more independence. He can safely maneuver around the playset, and he's having fun at the same time. Neo just loves movement and being active. It makes him really happy to be able to swing and go down the slide, and the playset also allows more friends and neighbors over, so there is a socializing element there...The Make-A-Wish team and playset vendors were great to work with. Plus, this is a wish that will keep on giving for years...It's almost like the playset created this small community in [our] backyard. [We] all had something to gather around and celebrate.”

World Wish Day® is the anniversary of the wish that inspired the founding of Make-A-Wish® in 1980 and a worldwide day of gratitude to thank donors, volunteers, medical professionals, sponsors, wish kids and families. This World Wish Day®, we’re grateful for all who make life-changing wishes possible for local kids faced with life-threatening medical conditions. When the community comes together to grant wishes, they do more than bring kids joy, they give them an edge in conquering their illnesses.

For photos from Neo’s wish and/or to set up an interview, please contact Kellie Wyatt at kwyatt@midatlantic.wish.org.

About Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic

Make-A-Wish® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic serves children who reside in central and southern Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland and northern Virginia. Founded in 1983, the Mid-Atlantic chapter has granted more than 8,800 wishes in the Mid-Atlantic region since its inception. Wish kids face any number of life-threatening medical conditions such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, kidney and heart disease. This year alone, 840 local children are expected to be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. However, for every wish granted, at least two more local children are waiting. The community has the opportunity to make an impact today by helping Make-A-Wish to reach hundreds of kids whose wishes would go otherwise unanswered this year. For more information, please visit: midatlantic.wish.org.