Local Child's Wish Granted By Make-A-Wish New Jersey

A local child’s wish was recently granted by Make-A-Wish New Jersey, whose mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. 10-year-old Gabriella’s wish to have an accessible playset in her backyard was granted this summer, thanks to the 2019 Jersey Mike’s Subs “Month of Giving” Campaign, which raised over $458,000 for Make-A-Wish New Jersey in March.

Gabriella, of Paramus New Jersey, was born with a brain injury and diagnosed with a life-threatening respiratory system disease. Gabriella had to endure countless lengthy hospital stays and multiple surgeries early in life. Gabriella is now on a ventilator and requires 24-hour medical care. Although her condition is complex and has made the state of her health fragile, Gabriella faces each day courageously, with her family by her side.

When Gabriella was referred to Make-A-Wish by a member of her medical team, her family thought long and hard about what would be best for Gabriella. Gabriella had started going to school, and her mom Laura noticed how much she enjoyed being outside on the accessible playground – in particular when she was on the special wheelchair accessible swings.

Visiting public parks proved to be too difficult for Gabriella, but her family knew the joy that swinging gave to her, and it became more and more clear that Gabriella’s one true wish would be to have an accessible playset – and swing – of her very own in her back yard, to enjoy with her siblings and loved ones whenever she wanted.

“Make-A-Wish made everything so easy, and made Gabriella so happy,” Gabriella’s mom Laura shared. “For her and her siblings to be able to do something together, and for me to be able to see them together, playing...it just makes me so happy. We are so grateful.”

Gabriella’s wish has and will continue to serve as a source of hope, strength and joy for her and her family for years to come, providing her with a sense of freedom and bliss and creating cherished memories with those who love her most.

Gabriella’s wish was granted thanks to the funds raised by local Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants as part of this year’s “Month of Giving” campaign. In March, 67 Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants throughout New Jersey joined forces with Make-A-Wish New Jersey, raising vital funds needed to aid the organization in their mission. The monthlong customer-donation campaign, which culminated with the “Day of Giving”, a day when Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants donated 100% of the day’s sales, raised enough funds to grant nearly 50 wishes to kids like Gabriella.

Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted nearly 11,000 wishes since its inception in 1983. The generous support of corporations like Jersey Mike’s Subs is critical to the organization’s continued success.

For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey, visit nj.wish.org.