It took two months for the Make A Wish Foundation North Texas Wish Kids to get their dance moves down. They twirled and danced to get it right. Then it was their big debut on stage at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas at the 2009 Wish Night all to help raise money for the Wish Kids Foundation. This is there way of saying thank you to people who continue to help grant wishes to kids who need it.
“Our mission is to grant wishes for children with life threatening medical conditions,” said Jordan Marshall from the Make a Wish Foundation. “A wish inspires. A wish gives a child something to look forward to. A wish provides magic.”
Former Wish Kids like Janvi Shahi attended the Wish Night to help sell off her paintings.
“As an artist I like to sketch things out and then color them in,” said Shahi.
Shahi discovered her artistic talent while in the hospital fighting for her life.
“I remember the doctor saying I’d have to be in the hospital for a hundred days,” said Shahi.
At age two Shahi was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. It was a cancer that kept her alienated from everyone.
“I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere so just going to the grocery store was a big deal,” said Shahi. “If we were in the car I’d have to wear a mask.”
In addition to hospital treatment it was a Disney movie that kept Shahi’s fighting spirit up.
“Since I like lions of course I like the Lion King,” said Shahi. “My mom always used to courage me that I was Simba and my cancer was Scar and I would fight everyday to kill him.”
At age 4 the Make a Wish Foundation granted Shahi’s wish to go to Disney World and meet her animated hero.
“We went to a Lion King play,” said Shahi. “They called me up on stage and I actually got to see Simba.”
Now 10 years old Shahi is not completely cancer free and her daily treatments have diminished to yearly checkups. She’s no longer home schooled and is an extremely friendly and outgoing little girl as witnessed by everyone at Wish Night. Shahi chatted up everyone about helping sick kids by bidding on her art pieces and all the items available.
“Last year I raised three thousand dollars,” said Shahi.
This year Shahi doubled that amount. It is enough to help one child receive a life changing wish. This is Shahi’s way of spreading the magic.
Take a look at the video above produced by DFWReporting.com!
Leave comments on this video below!
Loading ...
June 19th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Hey Kimberly,
You look beautiful! :) We need to hang out soon..
June 19th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Great story. Janvi is an incredible girl, I wish I had her spirit!
June 21st, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Hi Kimberly,
I just watched your package on the Making a Wish Foundation. Wanted to let you know
what a great story I thought it was. Shahi is really an inspiration. Keep up the
great work of spreading positive news in TX! What a great niche to have!
June 24th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Great Story! Thanks for sharing the story of Janvi and Wish Night.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Janvi is inspiring!