Zayia’s wish: To deliver comfort items to children undergoing cancer treatment at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
September 12, 2023 – When Zayia was 14 years old, she began experiencing headaches, pain in her joints, and eye problems. After 6 months of seeing doctors for these symptoms, she came to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital where she was diagnosed with pre-B acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). While Zayia has battled this disease twice, her care team says she has always remained positive, handling the challenges like a true champ.
Zayia’s illness qualified her to receive a wish from Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, and her wish was to give. She’ll did that by delivering comfort items that included blankets and pillows to children undergoing cancer treatment and their families at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
To make the experience even more special, Zayia’s wish was granted on her birthday and she celebrated with cake for family and friends at the hospital.
About Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with nearly 800 attending physicians, including more than 390 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children’s Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession’s most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org
About Make-A-Wish Southern Florida
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida has granted more than 14,000 life-changing wishes since 1983 for children who have critical illnesses. It aims to grant a wish for every medically eligible child in its territory and understands wishes aren’t just nice, they’re necessary for kids and families at some of the most difficult times in their lives. Wish kids most often ‘wish to be’ (something), ‘wish to meet’ (someone), ‘wish to go’ (somewhere), ‘wish to have’ (something), or ‘wish to give’ (to a cause) and the nonprofit organization makes this happen for the child and his/her entire family at no cost or obligation. The Southern Florida chapter’s territory includes 22 counties/four regions in southeast and southwest Florida, on the Suncoast, and around Tampa Bay. It also includes the U.S. Virgin Islands. Follow and engage with Make-A-Wish Southern Florida on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
