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 The mission of Make-A-Wish Foundation ® is to grant
the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
For the past 20 years, Make-A-Wish has been bringing a little magic into the lives of children and families all over the country.
Here in Connecticut over 1,400 wishes have been granted. And now they are granting one more!
Meet Alyssa Gaetani, an active, energetic pre teen who is quite the jokester! She enjoys any sport that
includes a ball, kick ball, soccer and wiffle ball. She also loves to bike and swim. Little over a year ago, Alyssa had not
been feeling well. Her parents thought it was a stomach bug that would not let up. Out of concern, her dad, Joseph Gaetani,
brought her to Midstate Hospital where Alyssa got the diagnosis of Leukemia. She was transferred to Yale Children's Hospital
and after many tests, doctors concluded that she had AML. Out of 6 different strands, Alyssa had strand 3 - the most curable
form of Leukemia. But, 98% of Alyssa's body had been taken over by the disease. During her five rounds of Chemotherapy,
Alyssa met many challenges along the way but in October of 2006 she completed her last round and in November 2006 was officially
in remission. She continues to go to the doctor's once a month to get her blood checked and have bone marrow samples done
every three months as an out patient in Yale. This first year of remission is the most important. Alyssa was a banner bearer
at the Meriden/Wallingford Relay for Lap during the Survivors Lap in June 2007. Alyssa has many ties to Meriden. Her
mom's family grew up in South Meriden, owned a house for 9 years in the east side, and taught at Washington Middle School
for over 5 years. Her aunt is a teacher at Hanover School. Also, Alyssa's dad has lived in Meriden for almost 20 years.
We are so excited to be a part of Alyssa's very special wish to swim
with the dolphins. For more information on Connecticut Make A Wish Foundation Click here.  |
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