Heidi has been given one year to live. Heidi is a huge Phil Collins fan and her only wish is to attend his show in Las Vegas in October. Her family has offered to drive her there so that no airfare would be needed. Stella’s Wish Foundation has granted her wish and secured tickets to the concert!
Halley Asher was diagnosed in 2013 with stage 4 breast cancer that is metastatic to liver and bones. Her mother says “Halley is one of the most kind caring young girls I know, she is always giving her heart and soul to help others no matter what it takes”.
Halley was asked to be in her cousin’s wedding in Riverside, California. She has never flown or been out of Missouri, or been in a wedding. The family asked for help getting her there for her cousin’s special day.
With the help of Stella’s Wish Foundation, Halley will fly from Missouri with her mom to her cousin’s wedding in California!
Eugene Rog has stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. He was diagnosed a year ago. It is terminal but he currently is still mobile, just weaker.
Eugene has always wanted to go see the Chiefs play at Kansas City. Stella’s Wish Foundation is sending Eugene and his family to attend a Kansas City Chiefs football game and he will also go on the field before the game!
Ms. Magdalin Espinoza is 39 years old, married, and has three children ranging in age from 11 to 2 years. Ms. Espinoza and her husband are both veterans of the United States Army, and she currently works full-time as a DoD employee on Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
Ms. Espinoza has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments since 01 May 2019. She completed chemotherapy treatment on 11 September 2019. She has been referred to a liver specialist for follow-up care/surgery post chemotherapy treatments, and will receive a bilateral mastectomy upon completion and recovery from liver surgery.
Ms. Espinoza and her husband continue to work in order to maintain financial stability in regards to household maintenance, insurance, etc. However, they are unable to afford luxuries such as family vacations. Stella’s Wish Foundation sent her family to Branson, MO for three days in October to provide some much needed rest and relaxation.
Nick Ranew is 34 years old and was diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma in March, previously 100% healthy. We have 3 boys, ages 1, 6, and 11. His tumor was discovered on March 12, 2019 and his first brain surgery was March 14, 2019. He received cancer treatment from MD Anderson in Houston, TX. for 6 weeks (chemo, radiation and an immunotherapy clinical trial). In late June the tumor showed continued growth and he had a second brain surgery on July 18, 2019. His current prognosis is 5-8 months.
Christmas has always been Nick’s absolute favorite holiday. Stella’s Wish Foundation will provide gifts for the family so that they may celebrate and enjoy time together early in October.
When Laura Elliott was diagnosed with small cell cervical endocrine carcinoma, she received the news “as a gift and opportunity to pause, evaluate my life, and fine tune my path to bring joy to others, purpose to my pain, and to show my clients/colleagues how to stay present-focused”. The cancer has recurred to her brain and lungs, and she hopes to be remembered by her children and grandchildren.
Laura says “I am no stranger to adversity, challenge, and determination and I’ve ‘moved mountains’ to restore faith in me with loved ones and to then honor others’ efforts by gifting it forward. I worked hard to restore relationships and to unravel the catalysts to my own destruction. It is through this journey that I have focused my passion for others, encouraged others to find their fuel, and to celebrate the milestones along the way.”
Laura traveled with a friend to New York to see a Broadway show.
“The trip to New York City was an incredible blessing! Every part of the travel and accommodations were fantastic and we wound up seeing both Wicked and Book of Morman. I couldn’t have asked for anything more beautiful! The parts of the trip that can’t be planned turned out to surprise me in delightful ways. The residents of NY were kind, friendly, and genuinely interested in us. Maureen, who is usually suspicious, was relaxed completely and opened herself up transparently. Strangers sang Happy Birthday to her and enjoyed listening to her share! We met a local who then gave us a tour of Brooklyn, Coney Island, and the massive subway system. My sister got to feel like a queen and I was overjoyed to honor her this way. My sister Maureen has selflessly agreed to be an honorary mom to my 3 girls and grandma to my 2 grandchildren. How could I ever express thanks for something so precious?! You all at Stella’s Wish made my dream come true!
Thank you so very much for such generosoty and thoughtfulness!!
Sincerely,
Laura Elliott”
Michele’s journey started in March 2014; one year after her mom had breast cancer, mastectomy and treatment. After having a clean mammogram in 2013, Michele was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and then came many months of treatment. In 2015,k Michele was confirmed as in remission and she looked forward to her my “NEW” normal life.
In 2017, Michele had a relapse with her cancer and ended up having an adrenal gland removed in addition to new medications. In 2018, she had another recurrence in her left adrenal gland and right hip bone. She then started clinical trial chemo infusions every 3 weeks and of the 3 weeks the second week is the worst, with not being able to get out of bed for an extra 2-3 days, literally kicking her butt! The chemo infusion is not working and Michele decided it was really no way to live life being so sick all the time, having more bad than good days. Recently, Michele had an NM Bone Scan to find 3 other spots, one in the occipital bone of her skull and 2 on her lumbar spine.
Family is very important to Michele, and during her journey with breast cancer, she lost her father. Michele cherished her relationship with her dad. He was very dear to her. Losing her father brought her mom and sister even closer, knowing that life is short and has no limits. Michele’s mom Trudy is her caregiver, an amazing woman as well. Michele’s family includes her 2 cats Tucker and Tess, along with her mom’s dog Haley.
Michele’s work family has been very supportive and requested assistance to get Michele and her mom on an Alaskan cruise. Below are some comments from work friends.
“Michele is a dear friend from work and our friendship has evolved from there. Michele is an incredible woman, she is so strong and the fight she has given breast cancer is that of a warrior. In the many years I have known Michele she has taken her treatments and returned to work multiple times. To me that really speaks loudly, to be at work, go to treatment and on most days she back again. Michele is a fighter!” – Sarah
“One year ago today, if you asked me what I thought of my work acquaintance, Michele, I would have told you that she’s a really nice girl and a hard worker. One year ago today, she had the first of many surgeries and treatments for her breast cancer, and my oh my, how a year changes things! If you asked me now about my dear friend Michele, I would tell you what an amazing woman she is. Her strength, her courage, her positive and uplifting attitude, her commitment to her family, her friends, (and her job!) during a year with so many ups and downs, I don’t know many people that could go through what she has with such dignity and grace. I can’t help but think her positive energy has pulled her through! Michele, my hope for you this year is good health, lots of love and friendship and more opportunities for you to share your awesome spirit”.
“Every time I have a rough day, [I think of my mom Trudy and my sister Michele]. What they have gone through and what my sister is still going through. Cancer sucks! They have such a great outlook on everything and have stayed positive through some of the toughest things that anyone can face. Both of them have had double mastectomies, enduring chemo and my sister also has to go through radiation. However; the positivity that they hold and the outcry of support is humbling. So, the next time you have a bad day, just remember… someone else has it worse. We need to be thankful for the health that we have, the people that we love, & the true blessings that we have. I am the baby of the family and both my mom & sister know how emotional I am when it comes to them. They try so hard to make sure that I am okay. I love them for this but I am worried about them and how they are doing. They have shown me what true unconditional love is by the way they care how everyone else is. I just love my family and the ones that have gathered to support both of them. I love you both and I am so happy to have both of you on my side and the ability to be there for both of you. No matter what, I am here for you”. – her sister Nicole
Stella’s Wish is providing assistance for an Alaskan Cruise to make this dream come true for Michele and her mom/caregiver, Trudy!
Gary Weaver was diagnosed with Stage IV Prostate Cancer, which metastasized into Bone Cancer on February 15, 2018. He’s been valiantly fighting this monster with Zytiga, Radiation, and Docetaxel Chemotherapy. In August, the family was told that he only has a few months left at best. He’s been taken off of all therapies as they’re not working. His last wish is to take a cruise of the inside passage of Alaska while he still has some energy. He originally wanted to do it with all 3 of his children, but two of them can’t get vacation time that soon.
Stella’s Wish Foundation will send Gary and one daughter on a Alaskan cruise to enjoy nature and time together. His daughter says “My Dad is my world- he’s been there for me when I have been so sick and close to death three times and now I’m happy to be there for him during his final days on Earth”.
In November 2018, 31-year-old Timothy Cifredo came home from work in pain. He went to the ER and went through emergency surgery for what they thought was a ruptured appendix, only to find out it was stage 4 colon cancer. He had always been healthy and never sick, but by the time they found it, the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and his liver. He has undergone 8 months of aggressive chemo but it is not working. He went to M.D. Anderson only for them to say there is nothing left to do. Tim and his wife have 4 children aged 13, 11, 4, and 1. She says he is such an amazing father and husband, always so hard for them and allowing her to be a stay-at-home mom. Because he worked a lot, they have not had chances to travel as a family or even take a vacation. Since he is young, they were working on building their life and future for their children.
Stella’s Wish Foundation is sending Tim and his family to Legoland in Texas to have some fun together as a family.
“My name is Timothy Cifredo. My family was granted an amazing trip through your foundation and wanted to share an update on what an amazing time we had. We were able to do so much staying on the Riverwalk. We saw the Alamo for the first time, enjoyed a river boat tour, Legoland and best of all Sea World. My children were so excited. Because of the extra gas card, we were also able to drive to the Padre Islands and see the ocean and even go for a swim. When I got home I was unfortunately placed on hospice, but am forever grateful for this time and trip I had with my family. It has made things more refreshing and easier since being home, knowing I had this time. Thank you for all you help. – The Cifredo Family”
Tonya Bailey was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma in March of this year. Because of her diagnosis, she is unable to return to work and has been told there is a less than 5% chance of 5 year survival. Her sister-in-law asked for a vacation for them so that they could get a reprieve from the daily torment of this diagnosis and what it means for them financially, as well as help them to create lasting memories for their children.
We are sending Tonya and her husband and 2 kids to Sirata Beach Resort for 4 nights and a rental car to get around.
