Wishes For Children Foundation

William has sickle cell anemia, a disease in which the red blood cells created in the bone marrow produce an abnormal form of hemoglobin. These blood cells are crescent shaped and have a difficult time passing through the body's blood vessels to reach the body's tissues. Those suffering with this disease experience severe episodes of pain and eventual organ damage. They are also at high risk for stroke and cardiac arrest. William struggles daily with his disease and has been hospitalized countless times throughout his young life. Despite all that William has been through, he is still full of energy and life. William didn't hesitate when he was asked for his number one wish: he wants to go on a shopping spree!

Friday, January 25 was a day William will never forget. A&A Livery Limousine Service picked up William and his mother at their home and along with an escort from Rough Ryders, arrived around 10:00 a.m. at Ontario Mills Mall. Wishes For Children Foundation and P&R each gave William a $500 gift card to the mall to "make his wish and dream come true." Rough Ryders also donated gift cards to William for a few of his favorite stores and gave him his very own official Rough Ryders jacket. Wishes for Children presented him with polo shirts and tee shirts for himself and his entire family.

Lunch was provided by Dave & Busters who also gave him and his mother game cards. When we asked William what store he was going to visit first, he said the electronic/game store to purchase an XBox. He then looked at his pocket map and told his mother where the store was located. William and his mother left us to start their shopping spree. William's mother had to run to catch up to William as he very excitedly and quickly navigated his wheelchair into the mall.

At 4:00 p.m., A&A Livery Limousine Service picked up William and his mother and took them back home.
William, we all hope you had a wonderful time. A day that you will always remember and when you look back on that day, we hope you know how many lives you touched with your bravery and smile. We hope we lifted your spirits as much as you lifted ours. We, too, will always remember that cloudy Friday afternoon.

Wi shes for Children, along with the Kids Wish Network and a couple of special sponsors (A&A Livery Limousine Service, Rough Ryders, P&R, and Dave & Busters) made the wish and dream of a very special 13-year-old boy in Hemet with a life threatening illness (sickle cell anemia) come true.

William is an easy-going, happy young boy with a friendly smile. This sweet-natured 13-year-old can usually be found spending time with his friends and playing video games. A huge basketball fan, William never misses the chance to cheer on his all-time favorite team, the Lakers! William also enjoys listening to music and collecting model cars. He also loves playing RuneScape on the computer.