Seven’s Story: WishMakers Turned a Tough Journey into a Recipe for Hope

In 2020, Seven’s health took an unexpected turn. After many tests, she received a shocking diagnosis: she had end-stage kidney failure. “It was not something we were prepared for,” said Natalie, Seven’s mom. “I didn’t know what it meant for Seven in terms of her health [and] future.”

Over the next 18 months, Seven endured the toughest moments of her life. “There were times when she couldn’t walk. She couldn’t eat. She couldn’t go to school,” Natalie said. But through it all, Seven never lost her smile.

Seven loves to make others smile, too, whether with a silly dance or funny joke – but her favorite way to bring happiness to others is through food. The kitchen is Seven’s happy place, away from the doctor appointments and treatments. It’s where she spends time with her mom, cooking their favorite recipes. When Make-A-Wish came into Seven’s life, she saw it as an opportunity to deepen her passion for the hobby that brings her the most joy. Seven’s wish was to be a chef.

Seven’s friends, peers and classmates lined the streets, donning custom T-shirts for her wish day. Seven was set up to cook her favorites – burgers, tacos and pizza – for everyone in town.

“She’s a shy young lady, but a boss in the kitchen,” said Nick Bell, restaurant chef and one of Seven’s many WishMakers. An entire community of volunteers, fundraisers, local chefs, business owners and donors rallied together to give Seven the finest chef experience.

It takes a village for a wish to come true. Join us and become a WishMaker today – because as long as children like Seven face devastating critical illnesses, they’ll be counting on you to give them the hope and strength they need to fight.