S2 EP7 - Bryan DeCobo - Wish Dad’s Journey Through Love, Loss, and Light

S2 EP7 - Bryan DeCobo - Wish Dad’s Journey Through Love, Loss, and Light

In this deeply moving episode of World of Wishes, we are honored to welcome Bryan DeCobo, a Wish Dad whose journey with Make‑A‑Wish has been shaped by love, loss, resilience, and extraordinary courage. Bryan shares the story of his two sons, Ethan and Liam, who were both diagnosed with a rare, life‑shortening condition known as Coats Plus Syndrome. He opens up about the unimaginable reality of parenting two medically fragile children, the grief of losing Ethan at just four years old, and the determination that led his family to fight—not only for their own children, but for every family facing this rare disease. That fight included starting a first‑of‑its‑kind foundation, pursuing experimental treatments, and helping establish a new standard of care that is now stabilizing Liam’s condition. The episode also explores the power of wishes during life’s most painful moments. Bryan reflects on Ethan’s wish—a quiet, deeply personal trip to the mountains of North Carolina that became a sacred time for connection, love, and saying goodbye. He then shares the joy and light of Liam’s wish: traveling to Washington, D.C. to attend John Cena’s final wrestling match, where Liam met his hero and experienced a moment of pure, unforgettable joy. Beyond the wishes themselves, Bryan speaks candidly about fatherhood, vulnerability, and the importance of safe spaces for men navigating grief and fear. He discusses how joy is not just emotional—it can be transformational, even healing—and why Make‑A‑Wish is more than a moment in time; it is a force that brings light into the darkest chapters of a family’s story. This episode is a powerful reminder that every family is carrying something unseen—and that love, purpose, and joy can coexist even in the presence of profound loss. Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla! Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn! Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

S2 EP6 Mikayla Beatty - Healing Through Music and Disney Magic

In this special episode of World of Wishes, we chat with Mikayla Beatty, a wish alum whose journey represents a historic milestone in Make A Wish history: Mikayla was the 150,000th wish ever granted by The Walt Disney Company. Now a college sophomore studying theater, Mikayla reflects on her path from a creative, faith driven childhood to a life altering cancer diagnosis at just 13 years old. What began as a lingering cough quickly turned into a diagnosis of Stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma, launching her into an intense and fast moving treatment plan on the oncology floor—right as the world was shutting down due to COVID 19. Mikayla shares with remarkable clarity what it was like to face cancer as a teenager who fully understood the gravity of the diagnosis, the physical toll of chemotherapy, and the fear of losing her voice as a singer. She speaks candidly about anticipatory nausea, isolation during treatment, and the hope provided through a clinical trial that ultimately shortened her chemotherapy and helped heal her body. Then came the wish—one that unfolded in two unforgettable chapters. In April, Mikayla was invited to Walt Disney World Resort to mark Disney’s 150,000th wish, where she rode in the Magic Kingdom parade, received VIP access throughout the parks, and became one of the very few people in the world to stay overnight inside Cinderella Castle. Months later, Disney and Make A Wish extended the magic even further, inviting Mikayla back to perform at the Once Upon A Wish Ball, complete with professional coaching, recording sessions, choreography, and mentorship from Disney performers and producers. For Mikayla, the wish went beyond magic—it restored purpose. It helped her rediscover why she endured what she endured and confirmed her calling to use music to heal, inspire, and uplift others. Today, she carries that experience forward as both an alum and an ambassador for hope, resilience, and the life changing power of a wish. Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla! Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn! Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

S2 EP5 - Aniyah Simmons - The Wish That Keeps Giving and Finding Her Voice with Jessie J

In this powerful episode of World of Wishes, we are joined by wish alum Aniyah Simmons - a vocalist, performer, and advocate whose story is filled with resilience, gratitude, and unforgettable music. Aniyah grew up in a small town in North Carolina, discovering her love for singing in church and dreaming of a future on stage. As a teenager, her life changed when her mother noticed something wasn’t right and advocated for further testing—leading to a cervical cancer diagnosis. Aniyah opens up about the shock of hearing the word “cancer,” the intensity of treatment, and the mindset that carried her through it: “Is it curable? Okay—let’s get to it.” In the midst of treatment, Aniyah was referred to Make-A-Wish. Her wish wasn’t just to meet a celebrity - it was to sing with Jessie J. That wish took her to California, into a rehearsal studio, and into a moment that continues to shape her confidence and career years later. From hearing Jessie J sing before the doors even opened, to sharing the stage, to forming a connection that still continues, Aniyah’s wish truly became the wish that keeps giving. This episode is also a beautiful tribute to family—especially the role Aniyah’s mom played as her advocate, her support system, and her companion on the wish journey. Today, Aniyah gives back by hosting Make-A-Wish events, sharing her story, and helping build hope for families walking similar paths. Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla! Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn! Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

S2 EP4 - Tara Diaz - Christina’s Warrior Journey and Wrestlemania Wish

In this episode of World of Wishes, we are joined by Tara Diaz, a devoted wish mom whose daughter Christina—a true warrior—experienced the wish of a lifetime: attending one of the biggest events in sports entertainment - Wrestlemania. From the very beginning of her life, Christina faced medical challenges that no child should have to endure. As an infant and young child, she experienced repeated hospitalizations before being diagnosed with genetic pancreatitis at just four years old. What followed were years of painful flare ups, extended hospital stays, emergency admissions, and relentless uncertainty. Over time, Christina’s condition worsened, ultimately leading doctors to recommend a rare, high risk surgery: a total pancreatectomy with auto islet cell transplantation—a life altering procedure performed on only a small number of pediatric patients nationwide. Tara shares in vivid detail the emotional weight of that decision, the long hours spent waiting during surgery, and the haunting moment of seeing her daughter in the ICU surrounded by machines and IV lines. But she also shares the relief that followed—knowing Christina would no longer live under the constant threat of another pancreatitis attack. Six months after surgery, Make A Wish entered their lives, opening the door to joy at a time when healing was still ongoing. Christina’s wish was clear from the start: WrestleMania. What unfolded was far more than a single night—it was a full week of magic in Philadelphia filled with VIP experiences, behind the scenes access, and unforgettable interactions with WWE superstars. From riding in limousines and meeting legends to walking alongside wrestlers during entrances and being celebrated on the world’s biggest stage, Christina was given the chance to do what she had rarely been able to do before: be a kid, fully and freely. This episode is about resilience, recovery, and the extraordinary ripple effect of a wish. Tara reflects on how the experience continues to shape Christina’s confidence, passions, and sense of purpose—and why she calls it “the wish that doesn’t stop giving.” Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla! Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn! Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

S2 EP3 - Linda Pauling - The Wish That Started it All – Chris Greicius and Founding of Make-A-Wish

In this special episode, we chat down with Linda Pauling - Make‑A‑Wish co‑founder and the mother of Chris Greicius, the 7‑year‑old whose wish to be a police officer helped inspire the founding of Make‑A‑Wish. Linda shares the story with vivid detail and deep heart: how Chris became Arizona’s first and only honorary Department of Public Safety officer, and how that wish brought him pride, joy, and a renewed spark at the most difficult moment. From there, Linda takes us behind the scenes of the earliest days—when a small group rolled up their sleeves, gathered what they had, and built the foundation of what would become a global wish‑granting movement. Her reflections honor the volunteers, donors, and community partners who stepped forward—proof that hope can be organized, shared, and multiplied A brief note for listeners: the organization began in an era when stories were often told through a more terminal framework; today, Make‑A‑Wish grants life‑changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, delivering hope, strength, and joy when it’s needed most. This episode is released on April 29 in honor of World Wish Day - the anniversary of the wish that inspired it all. Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla! Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn! Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!