Andrew from IN, fighting Ewing Sarcoma
The power of LOVE!
Today's wish story is one that reminds us of how LOVE can work miracles. Earlier this year, Nik's Wish was contacted by Riley's Children's Hospital to help Andrew fighting Ewing Sarcoma with a wish.
Andrew wrote us;
I was a collegiate soccer player for Taylor University. During my senior year, I was experiencing knee pain. After scans, tests, and biopsies it was confirmed to be cancer. I started treatment immediately. I had gotten married, and started a life with my wife and two dogs in Indianapolis. My wife and I just came out of a super stressful holiday season spent in the hospital, and we would love some time to relax together before we jump into a new treatment. We arranged a Key West vacation, but then COVID hit.
The trip was cancelled, but CANCER CONTINUED. I reached out to him to see if maybe there would be a non travel wish that we could do for him to keep him smiling. He requested a deck be put in so that he could sit outside and feel the sun. Building projects are not typical for us, but neither is a global pandemic. The Nik's Wish board approved the wish request.
Home Depot graciously discounted the materials and we paid a contractor $1000 to start work. The job was to be finished in a week. We were off to a great start!
Then things took a turn. After delivering the materials the contractor made no progress and abandoned the job. I received a call from Andrew's wife and was expecting to get an update on the deck, instead with tears in her voice, she explained that she would not be able to take a wish picture wearing wish shirts as Andrew passed away. My heart sank. Andrew's grieving widow with a bunch of materials in her yard, no wish, no Andrew and just broken. I wanted to get this completed, but how? The previous contractor did not return the money. Would I try with someone else to be taken again? Who could I trust to help this family in need?
There is a network of Nik's Wish families... families that know all to well about this terrible disease.. that continue to support other Nik's Wish families in so many ways. Today I would ask for the help from Presley's mom who lives in Indy. We were able to arrange a virtual wish for Presley to face time with her favorite star, Taylor Kinney, from Chicago Fire before cancer took her life. Ashley jumped in immediately to help.
Ashley connected me with Bob. Bob had met Ashley when he was working on a project next door to them. Bob had a day when 70 things went wrong all at once. Ashley started talking to him and shared Presley's story. Bob returned to his truck and hung his head and asked for God's forgiveness -- his problems were nothing compared to what Ashley's family was going through.
Ashley reached out to Bob to ask if he could help us complete the deck (actually start the deck). Bob did not hesitate... he was there the next day to assess the situation. He worked into the night, during the rain and he refused to take 1 dime for the work. Thank you, Bob, from Hoel Roofing & Remodeling and Ashley for helping us deliver this very special wish.
Andrew's wife shared with us: Andrew had wanted this for a while, so even if he did not get to see it completed, it will be a great place to continue to honor him and celebrate his life for years to come. Thank you so much.