Nesconset Wish Child is Ready for Disney World

Stefani Felber from Nesconset and her mother, Shannon, stopped by the Make-a-Wish of Suffolk County offices in Ronkonkoma for a special visit last Thursday. Waiting to greet them were staff members from the organization as well as representatives from the health insurance company UnitedHealthcare.

The Suffolk County chapter of Make-a-Wish is granting the three-year-old’s wish to go to Disney World, and UnitedHealthcare is sponsoring the trip. According to a statement from Make-a-Wish, the alliance with UnitedHealthcare has enabled the company to sponsor seven wishes in Suffolk County and 600 wishes nationally since 2007.

Shannon said of her family’s upcoming trip, “We cannot wait for a week of no rules, happiness, smiles, and absolute calm. It is a break that we are so looking forward to.”

Two years ago Stefani was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor called Diffuse Intrinsic Brain Stem Glioma /Upper Cervical Astrocytoma. Since her diagnosis she has been receiving chemotherapy at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York City.

Thursday’s small gathering provided an opportunity for Jeff Alter, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Business and Individual, and Maria Daniele-Pomponio, who is in charge of Community Relations at United, to meet Stefani. Daniele-Pomponio said she feels it’s important to get to know a child when becoming involved in a wish.

Shannon said, “For them to take the time to come and meet Stefani, as opposed to just sending us to Disney, was so heartwarming.”

At first on Thursday, Stefani was a bit shy and overwhelmed. However, she broke out into a smile when special guest Cinderella arrived. The princess was taking a break from rehearsals at Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center in Oakdale and stopped by to present the wish child with a Rapunzel bag and t-shirt.

There was also a gift basket of Stefani’s favorite things arranged by Daniele-Pomponio. The basket was filled with Elmo and Barney toys, a bathing suit, towel, sunglasses, snacks and more. There was also children’s ChapStick in the basket, and Daniele-Pomponio quickly found out her source was right about Stefani’s love of lip balm as it was the first thing the little girl grabbed.

“It was the hit of the day,” said Daniele-Pomponio.

Besides taking the opportunity to get to know Stefani and her mom, those in attendance enjoyed some pastries and beverages. Afterwards, Stefani was invited into the Make-a-Wish toy room where she was able to pick up a few gifts for her brother, Benjamin, and sister, Arianna.

“The toy room was amazing, and I am still floored from the generosity of the Make-a-Wish staff,” said Shannon.

On the way home, her mom said Stefani couldn’t stop talking about the party and couldn’t wait to tell her father and siblings about the day.

When asked about the day, Stefani said, “Cinderella was at Make-a-Wish, and it was so fun. I got so many ChapSticks."

The meeting was also a big hit for the adults in attendance who thought Stefani was adorable from the moment she arrived. Alter and Daniele-Pomponio were glad they took time out for the visit.

"UnitedHealthcare's mission is to help people live healthier lives," Alter said. "We are happy to be able to grant Stefani's wish so that we can help, in a small way, to her doing just that."