Sue Anderson is a grandma and great-grandma and wished to see her grandkids one last time. She needs her daughter to help her fly out to Colorado as travel is virtually impossible for her.
Stella’s Wish Foundation has granted Sue’s wish and will provide airline tickets for Sue and her daughter to get to Colorado.
Santos Valdez’ wish was to meet two Dallas Cowboys football players at their Dallas practice facility. His wish was granted and he was able to meet Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott along with his family.
“We cannot being to express our gratitude for the life experience you blessed our family with. Uncle Santos was on top of the world for having the chance to meet the Dallas Cowboys! The signed football was his greatest treasure, he made sure that it stayed with him in his room to show it off!! On April 28th at 3:03 am, he went to be with the Lord. This was only 10 days after you granted his wish and the wish of my husband and kids all at once. We still talk about that day, even daily. You impacted our lives in a way no one else has. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are forever grateful and pray God blesses you in a special way, today and always!” – Santos’ family
Tara is “the heart of our huge, extended family and clan of cousins, numbering 17, scattered across the United States, but close in every other way”.
One of her cousins describes her as “a beautiful soul who loves without judgement and cares beyond measure. Tara always looked for ways to help and never to hurt and will leave behind no enemies — something very few people can say”.
In September of 2018, Tara was diagnosed with serous carcinoma stage 4 cancer. She began her battle with a positive attitude and a huge support system, facing down chemotherapy and a major surgery in December. In March of 2019, she learned the cancer has returned and is growing at a very rapid pace and her family has only have months left with her. They are attempting to enjoy every minute left of her kind spirit and are hoping to have a weekend family gathering for Tara to celebrate her. The family has gathered every 5 years for reunions, often at Crooked Creek Christian Camp in Iowa and these reunions have always been Tara’s “holidays” because she worked in retail for so much of her life.
Tara’s family has invited friends and family from across the nation to come and spend the weekend with Tara. They also plan to Skype with friends and co-workers from her home in Washington.
Their wish has been granted and Stella’s Wish Foundation will help with the funding of their family reunion at Crooked Creek Christian Camp.
We are all terminal; most of us don’t know the day or the hour. Tara knows it’s soon. In our close family, we know we have to send her on with love. With this celebration we will have the chance to tell our dear cousin, “Thank you and goodbye for now.” – Tara’s cousin
Lisa Crocker was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma cancer on her adrenal gland and it spread to her liver and lungs….just before Christmas. No words can describe the heart sinking feeling when the doctor says that not only is this very rare, it’s uncurable. Her family doesn’t know how long they will have her in our lives….even though Lisa has been a fighter most of her life… she took this news saying “I’m going to fight!!” She has had three months of chemo and target medication so far with more to come, along with radiation.
Her sister Victoria says that Lisa never complains, she always sees the good in everything and is truly a sweetheart. Her other sister, Beth, and niece, Hannah, have been taking Lisa to all her doctor appointments and treatments, answering phone calls, cleaning her house, making meals, shopping, and have been there emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Hanna makes Lisa laugh and that’s so important!
Lisa’s sister Victoria wished that SWF would send the three of them to a place Lisa has wanted to go to: the Bay Shore Inn at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Lisa would be able to see the sunsets from the balcony, have coffee on the balcony looking at the water, feel the water’s breeze, sit on the beach, swim in the pool, have a campfire, etc. everything Lisa dreams about!
Victoria’s wish is being granted and Lisa will stay at the Bay Shore Inn at Sturgeon Bay with her other sister and niece, with time to relax and talk with family.
Lisa was surprised when she received a gift card and a new Bible for her upcoming trip.
In October 2017, Mike and Millicent got married and were looking forward to a bright future together, it was a great day. On Valentine’s Day 2018, their outlook changed dramatically when Mike was diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer. They never got to take the honeymoon that was planned and are now unable to afford to.
Donald’s wish has been granted and they will be traveling to Riviera Cancun to celebrate the honeymoon they never had.
Danielle has always wanted to visit one of the wine regions of Italy with her husband; however, this is no longer practical with her diagnoses and health. Recurring yearly medical expenses won’t allow them to save enough for such a trip and her immune system is too compromised to get clearance for traveling that far.
Danielle has battled cancer four different times in 34 years of life. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia when she was 8 years of old and relapsed after turning 11. At age 30, she was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in 2014 and underwent reconstructive surgery, radiation, chemo, and a year of immunotherapy. In 2017, the cancer returned in her bones shortly after completion of therapy. Unfortunately, the disease is terminal this time and she is undergoing treatments to slow down progression of the cancer.
Her family has been of tremendous support, and Danielle especially asked to commend her husband. He is not only her caretaker, but has taken in an unwanted baby plus his niece so that she can attend school. They also have a son of their own, making them a family of five now, and her husband is holding down the fort with one income.
Danielle’s wish has been granted to surprise him with a trip to stay at a lovely Bed and Breakfast in the vineyards of Napa Valley, California. She figures it’s the next best thing to Italy.
Chris Maybray has been battling colon cancer since July 2015. Chris is 34 years old with 3 children (ages 6, 9 and 14) which are helping his fight. He is currently stage IV. He was told last July he was deemed terminal with months to live yet the fighter he is…he is still here today. He has had many complications and uncountable hospital stays. He has daily oral chemo, iv chemo now once a month and unfortunately tumors continue to grow. Many activities are now impossible for him.
Chris’ wish has been granted for an RV rental so the family can camp for a long weekend and be able to fish and spend quality time with kids and rest when necessary inside.
Andrew Lee and his wife will travel to Hershey, PA to see Casting Crowns in concert.
Renee Kuduk will travel to Arizona to tour the Grand Canyon.
Thank you to Stella’s Wish for sending me and my family to AZ and for making it possible for us to see the Grand Canyon. We are very grateful and it was a much needed get away for all four of us.
With gratitude,
Renee Kuduk
Stephanie has stage 4 stomach cancer and is on hospice. Her life expectancy is 3-6 months. Stephanie Westrup lives in Desloge with her husband and son. Her wish has been granted to take them on a trip to The Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City.
