17-year-old Gabe has always admired cars. The engines, the high speeds, the complicated mechanics, the dazzling look of a shiny new sports car; Gabe has always loved it all. And when he was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a rapidly growing cancerous brain tumor, he didn’t let his health distract him from what he loved.
Gabe began pursuing his dream of restoring a vintage El Camino. And after spending countless long hours polishing the classic car’s surface and tweaking the mechanics, the car was stolen. Gabe’s pride and joy had suddenly vanished along with his dream. That’s when the Make-A-Wish Foundation stepped in and made the promise of granting Gabe his one big wish.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation was started in 1980 when a group of Phoenix, Arizona police officers granted the wish of becoming a policeman to seven-year-old leukemia patient, Chris Greicius with a tour of police headquarters, his very own police uniform and motorcycle officer’s wings. After witnessing the impact they made on the young boy’s life, the officers decided to help children everywhere in the same way.
35 years later, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has grown to help hundreds of children each year throughout the entire United States.
Gabe is just one of nearly 150 Kentucky children battling life-threatening illnesses who are currently involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and they need the help of gracious volunteers and donors to make their wishes come true.
On August 14th, the Make-A-Wish chapter of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana will hold its annual BIG Wish Gala at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Louisville in the hopes of meeting its fundraising goal of $100,000. The funds raised at this event will be used in granting the wishes of local children like Gabe.
Along with the fabulous gala fashion, delectable food and scrumptious cocktails, the event will feature live and silent auctions and a presentation regarding the positive impact the Make-A-Wish Foundation provides in the lives of its participating children and their families.
The Make-A-Wish Louisville BIG Wish Gala will begin at 6:30pm at Downtown Louisville's Marriott Hotel located at 280 W. Jefferson Street. Tickets to the event are $150 each. Please visit the chapter’s website to register and to learn more about other ways you can get involved.
Photo courtesy of Make-A-Wish of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana
