Wish Alumni

Jamie Lytle Wishes Full Circle

Wish-granting Volunteer

Jamie wished to go to the Walt Disney World^® Resort

A Wish Alumni, Jamie Lytle received her wish to visit Disney World with her family nearly 25 years ago.

Her story is an unusual one. After receiving her wish so many years ago, she became involved with the Foundation and volunteers her time to help make wishes come true. As a wish-granting volunteer, Jamie says, “Nothing feels better than working with a family on a wish. At some point a parent always asks: How did you get involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation^®? Trust me on this, nothing resonates quite like looking them in the eye and saying, ‘Well, I was a wish kid once, too’.”

Jamie often shares that her time at Walt Disney World^® Resort with her family was so special. “While going to Disney may seem mundane or typical…it really wasn’t for me,” said Jamie. “Secondary needs tend to take a backseat when you’re consumed with an illness…this gave our family something to look forward to. My brother and sisters had been shuffled around, unable to participate in activities; my parents were spread thin both emotionally and financially…they had been taking shifts spending the night in the hospital with me. Everyone had suffered in their own way — not just me. And then here come these people with a simple question: If you could have a wish, any wish, what would it be Wow.”

She clearly understands that when families have spent so much time tied up with a 100 percent focus on fighting a life-threatening medical condition…the chance to get away from the hospitals, the doctors, the routine of it all — well, it’s pretty powerful. It makes a huge difference.

A wish is a very powerful thing — one that outlasts time. Jamie still holds those memories close to this day. This experience encouraged her to complete the circle and become a wish-granting volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Today, Jamie personally helps make wishes come true for our deserving children.

Pranav Saha Down Under

Wish-granting Volunteer

Pranav wished to go to Australia

Pranav Saha, an all-around volunteer, has been assisting our wish granting department for 2 ½ years. In this capacity, he has helped grant more than a dozen wishes. However, for Pranav, granting wishes is also personal. In 1997 at the age of 17, he was the recipient of a wish. His wish, to visit Australia, led him to see the Sydney Opera House, snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, ride camels and learn how to throw a boomerang in the Outback, ride the Ghan Train, climb Ayers Rock, and see penguins swim ashore in Melbourne. This wish is something he will always remember, and the magic of it fuels him to make every wish he grants the best it can be.

Pranav does not only help out with wishes, he also volunteers at events, fundraises for our chapter, and serves on our speakers’ bureau. When asked why he believes in supporting the Foundation, his response is, “I enjoy giving something back for all the wonderful things Make-A-Wish [ Foundation ] has given me. I personally understand the power of the wish and I enjoy sharing with children, who like me, truly benefit from its magic.”

His most recent wish, for a child to meet Tony Stewart at the Texas Motor Speedway, was a dream come true. Not only did the wish child spend 40 minutes joking with Tony Stewart, but he got a VIP visit to the nearby Donruss Trading Cards headquarters!
Pranav recently embarked on the trip of a lifetime - only it was his second trip of a lifetime. He headed back to Australia for a series of meetings. While there, he took a few extra days to relive his wish and visit a few sights. “It won’t be like my original trip, but it will be great to reminisce about the time I had Down Under with my parents and sister.”

Thanks, Pranav, for all you do to make wishes come true. Your belief and active support of the Foundation means the world to us and the children we serve.