Compassionate Capitalism - May 2004

Make-A-Wish Foundation

Helping Dreams Come True

by Tina Allen

Casey Stiteler remembers Jan. 17, 2001 well. He was in the garage, lifting weights with his father at 7:30 p.m. when the hospital called to tell his parents the results of a CAT scan he had had earlier that day. It was a brain tumor, they told his father, and 12-year-old Casey needed to get to the hospital immediately.

Stiteler, a straight-A student and avid baseball player, had been suffering from headaches so debilitating that he had to avoid bright rooms and was barely able to attend school. He was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer the next morning. But, with the help of medical technology, a loving family and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern Nevada, Stiteler, now 15, is back to doing what he loves: playing baseball for his high school team.

When the Make-A-Wish Foundation surprised him with a wish, Stiteler asked for a batting cage. "I’ve played since I was about 4 years old, and when I got sick, I was too sick for two seasons to play," he said. "So, I got the batting cage and just practiced."

Raymond Gonzalez, vice president for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern Nevada, said the organization has granted all types of wishes for youths like Casey, who are diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. "We’ve had wishes where somebody wanted to go to a dude ranch or they wanted to take their family to Europe," Gonzalez said. "Once, somebody asked for a camping trailer. When a child comes with a wish, money is not an issue."

On average, the typical wish costs about $5,000. Throughout the year, the organization schedules fund-raisers, including golf tournaments, dinners and its annual rubber duck race on the Truckee River. Gonzalez said local high schools also have penny drives, and former wish recipients frequently schedule their own fund-raisers to give back to the organization.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation also has a chapter in Southern Nevada, as well as in 77 cities in the United States and 27 international countries and regions. Jennifer Tuttle, the executive director of the Southern Nevada chapter, said it has fulfilled about 400 wishes locally since 1996, when Make-A-Wish of Nevada separated into northern and southern regions. This year, she expects they will provide about 105 wishes for children between the ages of 2 and 18.

Tuttle said one child was able to go to Rome to meet the Pope, while others have visited the set of the Harry Potter movie to meet the cast. "I have never seen any family come and talk about how unlucky they are," Tuttle said. "They deal with it. To deal with a child having a life-threatening illness and the possibility of that child not living is overwhelming. I am so glad we are able to do this for them. These children face their illnesses with such courage."

Tuttle said there are many ways a child can be referred to Make-A-Wish, but typically it’s done by the child’s physician. A parent or caregiver can also call to request a wish for a child.

The Southern Nevada chapter’s budget this year is $1.1 million, which includes in-kind donations, as well. Tuttle said they also hold frequent fund-raisers to meet their costs, including fashion shows and a five-kilometer run. The 15th annual Bon Appetit Wine Focus is scheduled this year for May 7 through May 9. The event will feature chefs from Southern Nevada and vineyard representatives from the Southwest. Tickets can only be purchased on line at bonappetitfocus.com.

Contact box:

Southern Nevada:

3885 So. Decatur Blvd., Suite 1000

Las Vegas, NV 89103

702-212-9474

Northern Nevada:

910 Pyramid Way

Sparks, NV 89431

775-826-8008

Tina Allen