Vicki Merkel has just been diagnosed stage IV-B Esophageal Cancer. The cancer has spread to her liver and her brain. She put her entire life on hold when her husband passed away and has spent her entire life giving up her dreams to ensure the happiness and well-being of her son, daughter, and grand-children.
Vicki’s wish is being granted to rent an RV and travel see the Smithsonian, national monuments, and down to the Grand Canyon.
Eugene ‘Alex’ Betz is a 20-year veteran of the Montana Army National Guard and he has been with the Montana Highway Patrol as a Trooper for 18 years. He has 2 amazing daughters and a stepson. He was diagnosed with Spindle Cell Sarcoma in his right thigh in December 2019. The tumor was extremely aggressive and he had his leg amputated in January 2020. The tumor had grown to the size of a softball in approximately 4-5 months. Less than a month after the amputation, he found out the cancer had metastasized in his lungs. He had 4 tumors and surgery was not an option. He received autoimmune treatment, but the tumors continued to grow. After 3 treatments, he found out the tumors had tripled in size. His doctor told him he had 4 months left of relatively “mobile” time left and then perhaps 2 months of pain and limited to no mobility.
Alex is an avid outdoorsman. His daughters have carried on in his footsteps and love camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, backpacking, etc. Alex has always wanted to take his daughters on an adventure to Alaska. He does not have the resources now to do that, but it is something he still wants to do. He wants to take his girls on one last epic adventure before he is no longer strong enough to do so.
Alex is an amazing human being. He volunteered his time for children with cancer at Camp Make A Dream in Montana. He became certified and used his personal raft to take kids, even some in wheelchairs, floating down the Missouri River. He also volunteered his time to the Montana Wounded Warrior Project. He brought veterans on hunting and fishing trips throughout the state of Montana. Alex has dedicated his life to helping others. He gave 20 years to his country and deployed to Iraq. He has served as a law enforcement officer for the past 18 years. He has volunteered for non-profits. He is also a single father of 2 amazing daughters and a son who adores him. He has run 1/2 marathons with them, taken them to climb the tallest mountains in Montana, takes them camping multiple times throughout the summer, even into the late fall in Montana. He spends every waking moment trying to find some way to give them lasting memories.
Alex’s cancer has progressed at an alarming rate. He had dinner with my family on Christmas and at that time he knew he had a tumor, but he did not know it was cancer. 7 months later, he just signed up for hospice.
Stella’s Wish Foundation is sending Alex on a road trip to Glacier National Park, where he feels comfortable traveling too, due to their low number of COVID cases.
James Cook’s wish for a fishing trip in Arkansas with family has been granted by Stella’s Wish Foundation.
Lisa Watkins was diagnosed as Stage 4 last April, just before her 13th wedding anniversary. Since then everything has been one treatment after another. Lisa wished to take a small trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee, 3 hours from their home, to spend time with her husband.
Stella’s Wish is helping them travel to Chattanooga for a short getaway.
Forrest Johnson, has been battling diffuse large B-cell lymphoma since the summer of 2018. Hospital staff say he has never complained and would give the shirt off of his back. The nurses, patient’s friends, and anyone around him are always commenting how positive he is. His cancer continues to progress, but this hasn’t hindered his spirits. He has one wish of being able to take his children (ages 14 and 15) and girlfriend to the beach. He says they have always talked about going to Tampa, Florida and he would give anything to make this happen. is wish is for family to go to Busch Gardens in Florida and he would be forever grateful.
Miriam Soto has been battling leukemia for over a year. Her favorite thing to do is watch wrestling and hopes that one of her favorite wrestlers might visit her in the hospital. Stella’s Wish Foundation has arranged for Miriam to GO to an AEW Wrestling event in Kansas City, Missouri and possibly meet Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, and Roman Reigns.
James Myer is having his wish granted to stay at a cabin at Norfolk Lake in Mountain View, Arkansas with family.
Jessica Lee Sides was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma brain cancer in 2014. She has undergone 3 brain surgeries, Chemotherapy, Radiation, and Avastin treatments. She has been kicking cancer’s butt since then. She has MRI’s every 6 weeks. They were clear up until about a year ago when cancer cells were thought to be forming. Back on Chemo. Chemo treatments stopped late in 2019. Throughout the month of December, Jes started showing symptoms. Unfortunately, the tumor has grown back. Doctors want to start immune therapy, but as of right now it is the only treatment they recommend. Doctor says to keep her comfortable. She cannot walk and cannot be left alone.
She married Tyler on October 31st, 2015, and the love the two share is unbelievable. He is her rock, he has stood by her side, he takes care of her. She has been on a strictly organic diet since the diagnosis, and he has become her personal chef. They both fell in love with Las Vegas years ago, and have gone every year. They are huge hockey fans, so were excited when the Las Vegas Golden Knights became an NHL team. Jessica has followed every inch of this team. She has watched them with such emotion. Family reached out to her favorite player and he has sent her a short video of encouragement. The smile on her face truly says everything. She watched it on loop for over an hour! In the video, he tells her if she gets well enough to come Vegas, he will make sure she attends a game, even offering her a signed jersey.
Stella’s Wish Foundation is sending Jessica to Las Vegas in an RV to attend a hockey game and see the sights.
Pat Barber not only has Stage 4 breast cancer (which has metastisized) but also has Multiple Sclerosis. She is a fighter, but time is short and the only thing she really wants is to spend time on a beach with her husband. She has just learned that the cancer is now in her brain too.
Stella’s Wish Foundation is granting her wish and sending Pat to the Hilton Marco Island Resort to enjoy some beach time!
The employees at Macy’s in St. Peters donated luggage for their trip!
Coni Jo Kapets is a 49 year old married mother of two with stage IV breast cancer with metastasis to liver and bone. She is currently on her fourth line of chemotherapy treatment, after surgery and radiation therapy. The fourth line of treatment was initiated after most recent MRI showed progression of disease involving significant areas of her spine, encroaching on spinal canal. Coni was employed as a ward clerk at the hospital where she has been getting treatments for the past five years until she was no longer able. Hospital employees submitted a wish for her to be able to go any place warm to boost to her spirits at this time in her life.
Coni is being granted a stay at the Hilton in Marco Island, Florida.
