Mathew's Story

Matthew was 15 when he was referred to Make-A-Wish^® Iowa and needed a liver transplant.

He is sports-obsessed, and his favorite things to do are play sports, watch sports and play video games that involve sports.

When Matthew was presented with his wish opportunity, he toyed around with a few different ideas; going to the Super Bowl or to the NBA All-Star Game were a few.

Ultimately, Matthew chose to go to the Super Bowl, and last February his wish came true.

Matthew and a number of other wish kids from around the country gathered to watch the Chiefs and the Eagles face off in Super Bowl 57. Matthew had the time of his life and walked away with memories to last a lifetime and a custom jersey!

Amy's Story

Amy’s she-shed wish is one that’s as unique as she is.

In the early stages of her medical journey, she, like many of our wish kids, was unsure what her future would hold. When Amy was referred to Make-A-Wish, her and her family had mixed emotions. Many families incorrectly think that receiving a wish is the beginning of the end; however, for the majority of children, a wish is an opportunity to create hope, strength and joy to help them overcome their critical illness. Many wishes become turning points in a child’s medical journey.

For Amy, her fight is long from over. She holds onto a bright lemon-yellow scarf that her aunt gave her through every procedure and milestone she passes. This scarf became the inspiration for the interior of her she-shed.

While Amy continued to battle her illness, the local home builders association recruited her high school shop class to tackle the building of Amy’s shed. They had no idea it was a project for one of their own classmates.

When it was time for the big wish reveal, there was a flurry of emotions when the class found out they had made the house for one of their own — Amy. They had seen the blueprints and knew the assignment, but the reveal was so much more than any of the students, volunteers or community members could have imagined. The house was lemon-yellow and everything Amy imagined.

“I have butterflies right now because it doesn’t seem real, but it’s actually here now. I think it is amazing what Make-A-Wish does, and I don’t even know what to say because it’s just so cool!” — Amy

Ava's Story

Ava’s wish to be a content creator is so much more than what meets the eye. For several years, she has wanted to have a YouTube channel and podcast. Her goal is to help raise awareness about her heart defect and interview people in the HLHS world. She also wants to highlight things she loves to do, like cooking, crafts and art projects, and talk about her life and living with congenital heart disease.

Miranda's Story

Miranda’s perfect wish was close to home — VERY close to home — and very special to her.

Miranda’s wish was to attend the Sprint Car Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa — taking place only eight miles from her home! Last year at the event, Miranda went and met a driver. She and that driver still keep in touch, and she hoped to go back this year and meet all the drivers and have a pit pass.

Miranda attended all four days of the Sprint Car Nationals in August. She had pit passes and sat in the suites each day, which was perfect. Miranda having the privacy to enjoy her favorite thing in the world was so special to her.