Aaron Enjoys a Magical Adventure to Disneyland Thanks to Kids Wish Network

A very special Tampa boy recently experienced an extraordinary dream come true thanks to Kids Wish Network, a national organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Ten-year-old Aaron, who suffers from lymphoma, had an absolute blast on his exciting trip to California and the magical world of Disneyland!

Aaron's adventure to California began soon after his mother, Anja, learned about Kids Wish Network. After everything that Aaron had been through in the last few years, Anja was hopeful that he would indeed qualify for a wish with the charity.

In April of 2001, Aaron was diagnosed with lymphoma, a tumor of the soft tissue of the lymph nodes. Aaron has been hospitalized frequently over the last few years and has endured numerous surgeries and aggressive and painful chemotherapy treatments. Doctors continue to monitor his condition carefully.

After Aaron was approved for a wish with Kids Wish Network, he knew just what he wanted to do: he wanted to go to Disneyland in beautiful California!

Aaron's Kids Wish Network Wish Coordinator, Kim, immediately began the arrangements to make his dream come true. She not only secured airline tickets to California and theme park passes to the many parks there, she also booked hotel accommodations, made dinner reservations for the family at area restaurants, arranged for spending money and more. Aaron was in for a truly spectacular wish trip!

Soon after arriving in Los Angeles, Aaron and his family checked into the beautiful Doubletree Hotel Santa Ana. Anja said that the hotel was lovely and the staff was extremely warm and friendly. "It was just great. Everyone there was so nice!" But with an itinerary full of things to do, the family would spend little time in their room.

The next day, Aaron headed for the first stop on his schedule: Disneyland. Anja said that he and his brothers had a blast. "They just loved it! Aaron had so much fun there." During his day at the park, Aaron enjoyed meeting the different characters and riding all of the rides. "It was really great!" said Anja.

Aaron spent another day on his trip catching all of the rides at Universal Studios. "Now that was a good time," said Anja. "The boys just loved it there." Aaron and his brothers spent hours whooping it up on the Tower of Terror, the Jurassic Park ride and visiting the Nickelodeon Blast Zone. Aaron said that by far, the Tower of Terror was his favorite. "He loved that one!" said Anja. "He rode is about three times. He thought it was something else!"

Aaron returned home from his trip tired, but with lots of pictures and even more amazing memories. Anja was especially grateful to Kim and Kids Wish Network for giving the family the chance to get away and Aaron the opportunity for some fun away from his medical treatments. "Everything was just so great. Aaron had a blast. It was really, really a good time!"