Swimming with Dolphins in Hawaii

(Caitlin is autistic so I am helping her with this Carol Brooks)Caitlin began to have painful and swollen lymph nodes about a year ago . She had to endure 9 months of pain before she even had the correct diagnoses. Since she has begun treatment she has suffered hair loss, nausea, and pain from chemotherapy drugs.But the most heart breaking thing is we will not be able to complete our project to see all 50 states, a project we began about 10 years ago and hoped to finish in the next year. Caitlin is very heart broken that the trip will have to be postponed in the best case or forgotten in the worst case. this trip would help Caitlin to recover from treatment and give her something to look forward too. - Hawaii

Thank you for giving Caitlin and all of us this wonderful gift. and we really appreciate being chosen to have this gift.

Computer

It would give me hope and a reward for facing this head on and for being strong and brave. I would love a Mac laptop or desktop with a printer.

"Thank you so much for this blessing!"

Saxophone

It would help my family to provide me the opportunity to pursue my love of music in college, since instruments are not provided and were currently experiencing a significant financial burden

Meet Sutton Foster

Everyone at the cancer center and Swedish American have been absolutely amazing. It has been an incredibly long journey and I feel as if I'm finally starting to be able to live life again. Obviously, no one expects to get a cancer diagnosis, but especially not at age 23. But I think my positivity and optimism has helped me immensely through all of this. I know that being negative or upset isn't going to help me heal or move forward. I have also received the nickname "Wonder Woman". I want to inspire other people who are going through something like this and show them that there is always hope, love, and support from everyone around them. Somehow I managed to keep a smile on my face during this journey and I want to share that with others. I would also love the opportunity to do something with my family. I think it would help put these bad days behind us and give us a nice distraction from cancer.

Busch Gardens

I am a 19 year old young adult who was enjoying life until I got diagnosed with cancer. I enjoyed playing basketball, swimming, exercising, riding my bike, hanging out with friends, eating out. Now I can only swim and I miss my fun life.

This will provide support for us to go on a vacation to Tampa Bay FL. I always wanted to go to Busch Gardens. This would be the perfect celebration after treatment is over.

Wedding

I have had cancer for 5 years now. Never once did I ever finish a treatment. This has been a huge financial burden to my family. Now my T-cell immunotherapy treatment requires me to fly to Philadelphia every three months, putting my parents on another financial strain. This is why I would like to ask for a grant. My fiancee and I would like to get married and the cost of a wedding is going to be hard for them while they're trying to pay bills, groceries, gas and save up for my trips to Philadelphia. It doesn't have to be much, but a little something goes a long way.

Family Vacation

Throughout Samantha's treatment process she has done extremely well in trying to keep a positive mindset despite virtually all aspects of her life being disrupted. She has been 100% compliant with all of her treatment recommendations. It is hoped that her application for a wish will be approved so that she can receive a much deserved emotional boost and respite in follow up to her cancer journey.

Hawaii

Everyone at the cancer center and Swedish American have been absolutely amazing. It has been an incredibly long journey and I feel as if I'm finally starting to be able to live life again. Obviously, no one expects to get a cancer diagnosis, but especially not at age 23. But I think my positivity and optimism has helped me immensely through all of this. I know that being negative or upset isn't going to help me heal or move forward. I have also received the nickname "Wonder Woman". I want to inspire other people who are going through something like this and show them that there is always hope, love, and support from everyone around them. Somehow I managed to keep a smile on my face during this journey and I want to share that with others. I would also love the opportunity to do something with my family. I think it would help put these bad days behind us and give us a nice distraction from cancer.

We can't thank you & Nik's Wish enough! It was a trip of a lifetime. We had so much fun! Mahalo!!!!  

Family Trip to Arizona

I was diagnosed with B-Cell ALL December 24th 2017. My treatment. Will go through April/June of 2020. My life has been put on a pretty big hold, I haven't been able to work and being around the public in times where my counts are compromised could be life threatening. I go the okay to start back school this fall (2018) and I will be doing all online classes. I am so excited to be able to feel like I am making progress again in life, but I am in need of a laptop to do my school work. Not having income for 6 months and I just got the approval for disability, I am now having to play catch-up on bills and medical bills. I'm not sure how I can make a laptop for school fit into my budget...

Disney Vacation

Things have been crazy, I graduated high school and wanted dot take culinary arts. Then to be diagnosed with 2 different cancers at the same time changed everything. My parents have 5 kids. I am number 2 of 5 and I'm constantly in and out of the hospital and my parents stay with me. My siblings miss us and we miss them. It is hard. I wish we could all go to Disney World and have fun together.

Super bowl

My life was normal. I was able to walk, run and play football and now I have been diagnosed with cancer and I have a broken femur.

It would help me tremendously if I may get comfortable transportation to the Super Bowl

Hawaii

At 16 years old, I was diagnosed with an oligodendroglia brain tumor in March 2015 and had brain surgery to remove the tumor. This surgery left me unable to speak and my right side extremely weak. After intense therapy, I regained the ability to speak and walk unassisted. I have been a patient at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital since my diagnosis. In October 2018 I had a recurrence and my 2nd brain surgery to remove multiple areas of tumor. After my brain surgery I developed seizures and I am no longer able to drive or work. I am almost finished with my 6 weeks of radiation therapy and will start chemo therapy after radiation is complete. I would love to be able to go to a beach or Disney Cruise and just relax and recharge and get my mind off of cancer and everything it has taken away from me.

Disney

I went to the ER for, blacking out, cold and hot chills, shortness of breath etc. that is when they did many blood works and was determined that I had leukemia and transferred me to another hospital by ambulance, they transferred me to MD Anderson cancer center in Houston Texas, they did a bone marrow which confirmed I had Philadelphia positive lymphatic acute leukemia. my whole world turned upside down, as I just had a son who just turned two, I got married and we bought our first home. now everything has changed so suddenly. we have no income once so ever. I cant work for at least a year and a half. my doctor told me to come to this website to try and apply with yall. please get in touch with me if possible. thank you.

Guy Fieri

I was diagnosed in June of 2016 with DSRCT which is an extremely rare and aggressive form of soft tissue sarcoma. It has been an extremely long two and a half years of constant treatment and hardship for myself and my family. I think getting this grant is exactly what myself and my family needs. It would be a much needed break to forget about everything and just be free again, even if it is for a short amount of time. Mentally i think it would do wonders for myself as i have been struggling in that department for the last few months.

Last wish with Friends

Johnny called me and told me he was on his way to the hospital when I jumped in my car and headed down there, I walked into the room when the doctor told us he isn't certain but it looked like lymphoma. 3 days in the hospital and he was transferred via ambulance to U of I hospital Chicago. After 2 days there they couldn't give us a definitive diagnoses, we received a call from a doctor at Comer Childrens who had us come in for a discussion. It went then we discovered Johnny has DSCRT, which is predominately a male pediatric cancer.

Johnny had radiation, chemo, Hi-Pec surgery and a stem cell transplant.

Johnny was NED for almost a year. On his scan in October it was discovered tumors were progressing, in December it was yet again progressing.

Swimming with Manta Rays

In Dec. of 2017 I was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. The tumors were found in my right pelvis, spine and soft tissues. I went through a year of aggressive chemo and radiation treatments, leaving me exhausted and tired. But now that I am done with treatment I am back to continuing my education in Marine Biology at Western Washington University. I would like to go to Hawaii to scuba dive and see the amazing sea life, and enjoy some relaxing time with my family.

Universal Studios Vacation

was diagnosed at the age of 13 with a Polymoxoid Astrocytoma. 2 1/2 years ago I thought would be my last chemo treatment unfortunately in March of 2018 the tumor began to grow. I started a new treatment and was very hopeful but due to sever side effects my doctor stopped it for now with hopefully news of a new plan in the next few weeks.

I was referred to this organization by a young lady named Brittany who took a trip to Universal Studios. I have been experiencing lots of stress and anxiety due to the unknown of what type of treatment i will be facing and could use a getaway for me and my family.

New York City

Before my diagnosis, I had a strong interest in becoming a physician. After my diagnosis, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments, my interest became a determination. My personal experience as a patient really helped me to understand how to become a compassionate and caring physician to all patients. I believe that my diagnosis did not hinder me but has empowered me to become an empatheticSurgical treatment and recovery is very stressful both for my family and I. At times I know it overwhelmed my family to watch me suffer from pain and struggle through recovery. A period of rest will help my family and I to truly rejuvenate and bond together by releasing the stressful past memories and celebrating the current and future times we can spend together.

Cali Vacation

Hello my name is Alexandra Suazo, I'm 20 years old and i live in Florida. i have a husband and a one year old son. i relapsed on March 2018. 2 years after completing the first time that i was diagnosed with leukemia all. its been very hard since theres not a lot of recourse for my age but thanks to you guys i know i can count on you ! i would love to go on a vacation and forget about treatment for a little bit and enjoy life and feel free.

Cali Vacation

Before diagnosis I liked hanging out with my friends, playing in a band, going to work & deciding on a career. Right now nearing the end of treatment, I spend a lot of time on the couch just getting out of the house to go to treatments. For the past 6 months I haven't been able to be very social and my family has spent all of their extra time caring for me. A Nik Wish would allow us to spend time together having fun not revolving around doctors or treatments

Disney Vacation

I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma on May 4, 2018. I was getting ready to graduate from high school and celebrate my 18th birthday. Instead I had to get ready to start chemotherapy. During my graduation, all I could think about was the fact that I have cancer. My dream would be to celebrate with my family at Disney World. Disney World in Orlando is our favorite place to be. I would love to have something to be excited about to get me through the rest of my treatment. This would also give me a chance to thank my family for always being there for me, and to spend time with my siblings. I had to be away from them so much during treatment. I really appreciate the care I have been given during treatment, but it would really be nice to have some fun for a change!!!

Hawaii Vacation

After discharged when I had my first outpatient appointment with my Oncologist, the doctor's nurse told me about Nik's Wish, I was very excited to learn that just because I turned 18 in October I may still get a chance to enjoy a wish of my own. My life has been on hold for the last six months, I have lost opportunities to spend time with friends and do the fun things that kids my age are doing. I've not felt well and been very scared about being sick.I've thought about all the awesome possibilities for a wish and would like to be able to share my wish with my support system, my family. The four of us just talk about everything. Sharing my fears and what kind of wish I might make. Between Mom and Dad one is always with me during visits and tests, making me feel strong like I can do anything and there is nothing to worry about. I would like to take my family on a tropical beach vacation

Disney Vacation

I was a sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University who has just signed up for her fall semester classes. Life was going great. I had just declared my second major and signed a lease for a new apartment. However, I noticed something off about my leg. I researched and one of the possible things was cancer. I thought theres no way this could happen to me. Flash forward to 2 weeks later and I'm starting my first chemotherapy treatment, had to sublease my apartment, moved back home, and removed from school.

I first heard about your organization by researching young adult cancer resources (since there are not a lot). Then I stumbled across the Facebook page, which led me to the website and I thought it was such an amazing thing so I applied.

Last Wish Vacation

A junior in high school, active with friends, graduated, but home due to treatment. Large family makes it difficult to do things together. We would like the opportunity to get everyone together. Robert has 9 siblings with their own family

Hawaii Vacation

As I was starting my first year of college for nursing, my second semester I found out I had stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. After many many biopsies and tests, I had two cycles of an extreme harsh chemotherapy called ICE. Each treatment was for 3 days and I had to stay in the hospital each time. It worked!!! I was so happy!! My PET scan was clear and it was the best Christmas present I could get!! I am about to start radiation for 2 weeks and it is twice a day. Once I am finished with radiation I will have a stem cell transplant to completely kill off any chance of having it come back. I am excited to go be finished and go back to school and reach my goal of being an oncology nurse to help others during their difficult times. I am ready for a much needed break and to relax after all this stress and worry!

Hawaii

I wanted to say thank you so much!! It was truly amazing and beyond what I was imagining. My family, friends and I had a wonderful experience and I am forever grateful that I had this opportunity. We had such a blast exploring the beautiful Island of Oahu and it was so relaxing and peaceful. The trip honestly could not have been more perfect. It couldn't have been made possible without your help and I just want you to know how appreciative I am of you and the Nikolas Ritschel Foundation!

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

May wish was amazing... my favorite part of the trip was seeing the beautiful of Orlando and getting to do it with my brothers it meant everything to me cause they're some of my favorite people ever

DISNEY

I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the incredible experience you gave me and my family at Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida. It truly meant so much to all of us.
Being able to enjoy the parks together, ride all the attractions, and simply share those moments as a family was unforgettable. I loved every minute of it. My favorite park was Universal's Islands of Adventure because it had the most roller coasters.
I love fast, exciting roller coasters! Staying in the mansion with Frank and Becky was also such a wonderful part of the experience. The rooms were so comfortable, and we had so much fun relaxing and spending time together, especially in the pool.
Having the GAP tickets made everything even more special. Being able to go to the front of the line for every ride felt like such a gift, and it allowed us to make the most of our time together. I even framed my golden GAP tickets and hung them above my bed so I can always remember this amazing experience.
I feel incredibly grateful to Nik's Wish for making this possible. You gave my family and me memories filled with joy, laughter, and togetherness that we will cherish forever. With sincere thanks, Moriah

HAWAII

Our trip was truly amazing, and it's hard to fully put into words the peace, joy, and happiness we felt while making these memories together. Every moment felt special in its own way. Visiting the Attack on Pearl Harbor was incredibly humbling and emotional, reminding us of the sacrifices and history tied to such a meaningful place. Exploring Kualoa Ranch was such a fun adventure, and the breathtaking views honestly looked unreal.
More than anything, this trip was a much-needed break from the appointments, doctors, chemo treatments, and all the heaviness that comes with everyday life lately. It gave Hunter the chance to simply be a young adult again - to laugh, explore, make memories, and enjoy life without constantly thinking about medical schedules and treatments. I honestly don't think I've ever seen Hunter smile and laugh as much as he did on this trip, and seeing that joy return meant more to us than words could ever explain.
This trip gave us peace, happiness, and memories together that we will carry with us forever.

DISNEY

Dear Nik's Wish Team,
Thank you so much for the incredible gift you gave our family. We are beyond grateful for the unforgettable trip to Orlando that you sponsored for my husband and our family.
Because of your generosity, we were able to enjoy a beautiful time together at the villa, visit Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, and create memories that we will cherish forever. From the flights to the rental car and every thoughtful detail in between, everything was arranged with such care and kindness.
This trip brought our family so much joy, laughter, comfort, and togetherness during a time when it was deeply needed. Seeing the smiles on our faces and being able to spend quality time together meant more than words can express.
Thank you for your compassion, generosity, and for making such meaningful experiences possible for families like ours. Your kindness truly made a lasting impact on us, and we will always remember this special gift with gratitude.

Hawaii

Going to Hawaii meant a lot for me, it meant a break from the long hospital visits and from the reality I currently live in. Thanks to nik's wish, I was able to have so much fun in a place I never thought I would get to experience and for that I'm so grateful

Hawaii

I want to sincerely thank you for the incredible trip to Hawaii. This experience was more amazing than I could have ever imagined, and it gave me memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
From the beautiful beaches and breathtaking scenery to the fun adventures and time spent with my family, every moment was special. Your generosity allowed me to enjoy a dream come true and gave me the opportunity to focus on happiness, laughter, and making unforgettable memories.
I am deeply grateful to everyone, as well as the donors, volunteers, and supporters who made this trip possible. Your kindness and dedication have made a lasting impact on my life and my family's life.
Thank you for giving me such a wonderful gift and for bringing so much joy during a time when it was needed most. I will always remember this amazing experience and the kindness behind it.

Hawaii

Hawaii was a dream that carried me through my healing cancer journey. One of the hardest things for me after my diagnosis was being told that I couldn't be in the water, no swimming, no diving, not even submerging myself. As someone who has always loved the ocean, that loss felt much bigger than people realized. Being here now, standing in the Pacific and even catching a wave while surfing, is something I once wasn't sure I'd ever get to experience. It was emotional, healing, and a powerful reminder of how far I've come. Thank you to this organization for making this dream possible and for giving me and my family memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

ORLANDO

Bella had so much fun. Her favorite moments included swimming with the stingrays (she wants to get a tattoo of a sting ray when she is healthy again), swimming with dolphins, the Dudley Do-Right Rip Saw Falls ride at Universal, seeing the otters playing and swimming, the wand choosing her, the Avatar area where she got her own banchee. She had so much fun! We all did. I loved swimming with the dolphin who is named Clipper. I'm sure there were a ton more moments. We are so incredibly grateful for this wish being granted.

HAWAII

Getting the opportunity to visit Oahu was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. There honestly aren't enough words to express how grateful I am for this amazing opportunity and for everyone who made it possible.

The past few years have been filled with challenges. Having to celebrate two previous birthdays while going through cancer treatment was incredibly difficult, and this year marked my third birthday with cancer. However, instead of spending my birthday focused on treatments and appointments, I was able to celebrate my 21st birthday in Hawaii with my family and making memories that I will cherish forever. This trip gave me something joyful to focus on and it truly felt like a gift that made up for so many difficult moments.

One of the most meaningful parts of the trip was that my family got to experience it with me. Knowing that my parents were also able to enjoy this trip made it even more special. My mom put her own life on hold to become my caregiver, and my dad became the sole provider for our family overnight. Watching them relax, smile, and experience Hawaii was just as rewarding as the trip itself. For a few days, they were able to set aside the stress that cancer brings and simply enjoy being together as a family.

It's hard to choose a favorite part because every moment felt special. I loved watching the fireworks, seeing the sunsets over the ocean, spending time in the sun, and being able to relax and enjoy the beauty of Hawaii.

Those days felt like the perfect amount of time to experience some of the incredible culture and scenery

This trip gave my family and me memories that I will always be thankful for.

NYC

Following my diagnosis in August 2023, the past 3 years have been filled with challenges. However, this trip gave me and my family the opportunity to make up for the many moments lost to treatment.

My wish being granted means more than my battle and accomplishments being celebrated- it means my family being recognized for the sacrifices they've made and their unwavering love and support throughout my journey.

As if experiencing New York and celebrating my 21st birthday there weren't special enough, it meant the world to see my family enjoying themselves.

I'll never be able to express my gratitude. Thank you Nik's Wish for the incredible lifelong memories.

Disney Cruise

I had an amazing time. Lookout cay and the ship were my favorites. The food was amazing, and the water was so majestic and clear. Just being happy with the family and not worrying about next doctor visits made the trip the most memorable and fulfilling.