In this heartfelt episode of World of Wishes, we are joined by Abby Lindenberg, a devoted wish mom whose daughter Layla’s journey is defined by resilience, hope, and a powerful transformation from uncertainty to light.

Layla was diagnosed with an ultra‑rare genetic condition called alpha‑mannosidosis, a disorder that affects muscle strength, balance, hearing, cognition, and overall development. For years, Abby and her family navigated what she describes as a diagnostic “odyssey”—visiting more than a dozen specialists, sensing that something wasn’t right, yet struggling without answers. When the diagnosis finally came, it brought fear and anxiety, but also relief in finally having a name—and a path forward.

Layla ultimately underwent a bone marrow transplant, a life‑altering and intense treatment that offered her the brightest possible future. Abby shares honestly about the emotional toll of watching a seemingly healthy child endure such an invasive procedure, the faith required to move forward, and the long months spent inpatient during Layla’s recovery. Two years later, the results are extraordinary: Layla is present, joyful, active, and embracing life in ways that once felt uncertain.

That’s when Make‑A‑Wish entered their lives. During Layla’s recovery, her daily ritual became dressing up as a princess—finding joy, imagination, and strength even on the hardest days. That simple act revealed her deepest wish: a magical experience at Walt Disney World, where Layla could fully live out her princess dreams.

In this episode, Abby recounts what the wish meant—not just for Layla, but for her entire family. From staying at Give Kids The World, to the care and generosity of volunteers, to seeing her daughter fully present and glowing with joy, the wish marked a powerful milestone: a celebration of survival, healing, and gratitude on the other side of darkness.

This conversation is a testament to parental advocacy, to living moment by moment through unimaginable challenges, and to the profound impact a wish can have in helping families reclaim joy and light.

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In this deeply moving episode of World of Wishes, we are honored to welcome Bryan DeCobo, a Wish Dad whose journey with Make‑A‑Wish has been shaped by love, loss, resilience, and extraordinary courage.

Bryan shares the story of his two sons, Ethan and Liam, who were both diagnosed with a rare, life‑shortening condition known as Coats Plus Syndrome. He opens up about the unimaginable reality of parenting two medically fragile children, the grief of losing Ethan at just four years old, and the determination that led his family to fight—not only for their own children, but for every family facing this rare disease. That fight included starting a first‑of‑its‑kind foundation, pursuing experimental treatments, and helping establish a new standard of care that is now stabilizing Liam’s condition.

The episode also explores the power of wishes during life’s most painful moments. Bryan reflects on Ethan’s wish—a quiet, deeply personal trip to the mountains of North Carolina that became a sacred time for connection, love, and saying goodbye. He then shares the joy and light of Liam’s wish: traveling to Washington, D.C. to attend John Cena’s final wrestling match, where Liam met his hero and experienced a moment of pure, unforgettable joy.

Beyond the wishes themselves, Bryan speaks candidly about fatherhood, vulnerability, and the importance of safe spaces for men navigating grief and fear. He discusses how joy is not just emotional—it can be transformational, even healing—and why Make‑A‑Wish is more than a moment in time; it is a force that brings light into the darkest chapters of a family’s story.

This episode is a powerful reminder that every family is carrying something unseen—and that love, purpose, and joy can coexist even in the presence of profound loss.

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In this special episode of World of Wishes, we chat with Mikayla Beatty, a wish alum whose journey represents a historic milestone in Make A Wish history: Mikayla was the 150,000th wish ever granted by The Walt Disney Company.

Now a college sophomore studying theater, Mikayla reflects on her path from a creative, faith driven childhood to a life altering cancer diagnosis at just 13 years old. What began as a lingering cough quickly turned into a diagnosis of Stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma, launching her into an intense and fast moving treatment plan on the oncology floor—right as the world was shutting down due to COVID 19.

Mikayla shares with remarkable clarity what it was like to face cancer as a teenager who fully understood the gravity of the diagnosis, the physical toll of chemotherapy, and the fear of losing her voice as a singer. She speaks candidly about anticipatory nausea, isolation during treatment, and the hope provided through a clinical trial that ultimately shortened her chemotherapy and helped heal her body.

Then came the wish—one that unfolded in two unforgettable chapters. In April, Mikayla was invited to Walt Disney World Resort to mark Disney’s 150,000th wish, where she rode in the Magic Kingdom parade, received VIP access throughout the parks, and became one of the very few people in the world to stay overnight inside Cinderella Castle. Months later, Disney and Make A Wish extended the magic even further, inviting Mikayla back to perform at the Once Upon A Wish Ball, complete with professional coaching, recording sessions, choreography, and mentorship from Disney performers and producers.

For Mikayla, the wish went beyond magic—it restored purpose. It helped her rediscover why she endured what she endured and confirmed her calling to use music to heal, inspire, and uplift others. Today, she carries that experience forward as both an alum and an ambassador for hope, resilience, and the life changing power of a wish.

Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla!

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In this powerful episode of World of Wishes, we are joined by wish alum Aniyah Simmons - a vocalist, performer, and advocate whose story is filled with resilience, gratitude, and unforgettable music.

Aniyah grew up in a small town in North Carolina, discovering her love for singing in church and dreaming of a future on stage. As a teenager, her life changed when her mother noticed something wasn’t right and advocated for further testing—leading to a cervical cancer diagnosis. Aniyah opens up about the shock of hearing the word “cancer,” the intensity of treatment, and the mindset that carried her through it: “Is it curable? Okay—let’s get to it.”

In the midst of treatment, Aniyah was referred to Make-A-Wish. Her wish wasn’t just to meet a celebrity - it was to sing with Jessie J. That wish took her to California, into a rehearsal studio, and into a moment that continues to shape her confidence and career years later. From hearing Jessie J sing before the doors even opened, to sharing the stage, to forming a connection that still continues, Aniyah’s wish truly became the wish that keeps giving.

This episode is also a beautiful tribute to family—especially the role Aniyah’s mom played as her advocate, her support system, and her companion on the wish journey. Today, Aniyah gives back by hosting Make-A-Wish events, sharing her story, and helping build hope for families walking similar paths.

Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla!

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In this episode of World of Wishes, we are joined by Tara Diaz, a devoted wish mom whose daughter Christina—a true warrior—experienced the wish of a lifetime: attending one of the biggest events in sports entertainment - Wrestlemania.

From the very beginning of her life, Christina faced medical challenges that no child should have to endure. As an infant and young child, she experienced repeated hospitalizations before being diagnosed with genetic pancreatitis at just four years old. What followed were years of painful flare ups, extended hospital stays, emergency admissions, and relentless uncertainty. Over time, Christina’s condition worsened, ultimately leading doctors to recommend a rare, high risk surgery: a total pancreatectomy with auto islet cell transplantation—a life altering procedure performed on only a small number of pediatric patients nationwide.

Tara shares in vivid detail the emotional weight of that decision, the long hours spent waiting during surgery, and the haunting moment of seeing her daughter in the ICU surrounded by machines and IV lines. But she also shares the relief that followed—knowing Christina would no longer live under the constant threat of another pancreatitis attack.

Six months after surgery, Make A Wish entered their lives, opening the door to joy at a time when healing was still ongoing. Christina’s wish was clear from the start: WrestleMania. What unfolded was far more than a single night—it was a full week of magic in Philadelphia filled with VIP experiences, behind the scenes access, and unforgettable interactions with WWE superstars. From riding in limousines and meeting legends to walking alongside wrestlers during entrances and being celebrated on the world’s biggest stage, Christina was given the chance to do what she had rarely been able to do before: be a kid, fully and freely.

This episode is about resilience, recovery, and the extraordinary ripple effect of a wish. Tara reflects on how the experience continues to shape Christina’s confidence, passions, and sense of purpose—and why she calls it “the wish that doesn’t stop giving.”

Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla!

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In this special episode, we chat down with Linda Pauling - Make‑A‑Wish co‑founder and the mother of Chris Greicius, the 7‑year‑old whose wish to be a police officer helped inspire the founding of Make‑A‑Wish. Linda shares the story with vivid detail and deep heart: how Chris became Arizona’s first and only honorary Department of Public Safety officer, and how that wish brought him pride, joy, and a renewed spark at the most difficult moment.

From there, Linda takes us behind the scenes of the earliest days—when a small group rolled up their sleeves, gathered what they had, and built the foundation of what would become a global wish‑granting movement. Her reflections honor the volunteers, donors, and community partners who stepped forward—proof that hope can be organized, shared, and multiplied

A brief note for listeners: the organization began in an era when stories were often told through a more terminal framework; today, Make‑A‑Wish grants life‑changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, delivering hope, strength, and joy when it’s needed most. This episode is released on April 29 in honor of World Wish Day - the anniversary of the wish that inspired it all.

Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla!

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For more than a decade, Jackie Parisi and her mother Mary Ann Platt have been turning hope into reality - one wish at a time. Together, they form a remarkable mother–daughter wish‑granting team whose shared passion has helped change the lives of more than 200 wish kids and their families across Southern Florida. In this episode of World of Wishes, they reflect on how volunteering with Make‑A‑Wish became a defining part of who they are, shaping their perspectives on family, gratitude, and what truly matters.

From backyard superhero celebrations to sensory‑safe bedrooms and unforgettable family experiences, Jackie and Mary Ann share powerful stories that reveal the true impact of a wish - not just for the child, but for the entire family. They explore the healing power of anticipation and the truth that wish granters often receive just as much joy as they give. It’s a heartfelt conversation about service and the lifelong ripple effect of saying yes to a wish.

Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla!

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In this special episode of World of Wishes, we sit down with Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make‑A‑Wish® Southern Florida, as he reflects on a 20‑year journey leading one of the organization’s most impactful chapters. Norm shares key moments from his tenure, the accomplishments that helped shape the chapter’s growth, and the values that have guided his leadership along the way—from expanding community partnerships to strengthening the organization’s ability to serve wish families.

The conversation also dives into what it truly takes to run a successful nonprofit: building strong teams, fostering collaboration, and leading with purpose through both opportunity and challenge. As the discussion turns toward the future, Norm offers insight into what lies ahead for Make‑A‑Wish Southern Florida and how continued innovation, teamwork, and vision will help ensure that life‑changing wishes are granted for generations to come.

Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla!

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In this episode, Zoo Miami legend and Make‑A‑Wish champion Ron Magill joins us for an unforgettable conversation about animals, empathy, and the transformative power of a wish.

Ron reflects on his 45‑year journey from zookeeper to global ambassador for wildlife, sharing how early encounters with animals shaped his life—and how those same connections now help wish kids momentarily escape illness and rediscover joy. From feeding giraffes and meeting cheetahs to reopening the zoo during COVID for a single wish child, Ron reveals the responsibility, emotion, and privilege behind each wish experience.

He explores the lasting impact wishes have not only on children, but on parents, caregivers, and everyone involved - including the remarkable Zoo Miami team that makes these moments possible. This episode is a moving reminder that when animals and compassion come together, magic happens—and those memories last a lifetime.

Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla!

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In this episode, John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Pulmonary Hypertension Coordinator Shelly Screen shares why she considers a wish as essential as any medical protocol. With over two decades of experience, Shelly has referred hundreds of children - and witnessed firsthand how a wish can reduce stress, improve compliance, and bring families back together.

Hear stories of remarkable wishes: a teen who met Lionel Messi, a young artist who designed her dream “she shed,” and a Florida boy who saw snow for the first time. Shelly explains why timing matters, how anticipation lifts spirits, and why every referral starts a ripple of hope that lasts a lifetime.

Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla!

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