The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado, Inc. grants the wishes of children between the ages of 2 ½ and 18 years with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation works to grant the wish of every medically eligible child referred in the state of Colorado, and has been doing so since 1983. Wishes are wonderful experiences given to children with life-threatening diseases. These special children are energized by a wish...they can imagine it, describe it and plan it. The anticipation begins with the countdown until the day the wish becomes a reality. By making a wish come true, Make-A-Wish encourages a child to fight against tremendous odds, their wish gives them hope.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado was established in 1983 after liver disease claimed the precious life of seven-year-old
Jennifer Mazak. A few weeks before her death, Jennifer's longtime dream to meet a popular radio mascot came true when the KIMN Chicken came to visit her. Jennifer's mother,
Joan Mazak, saw the joy and excitement her daughter experienced when her wish to meet the KIMN Chicken turned into a reality. After seeing how the wish raised her daughter's spirits, Joan wanted nothing more than to provide the same feeling for other children battling life-threatening illnesses. Following Jennifer's death, Joan Mazak founded the Colorado chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and is its current president and CEO.
In the first year of operation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado granted three wishes. Since that time, the chapter has made dreams come true for over 2,500 courageous Colorado children. No qualified child has ever been denied a wish.
In September 2006, the chapter celebrated the 2,500th wish granted!
Lauren's wish was to meet the Pink Power Ranger so she "could learn her moves" and was off to Disney World with her family. A celebration party was thrown in her honor by Frontier Airlines at Denver International Airport, complete with cake, princess plates, cups and of course butterflies! Lauren looked like a princess herself, dressed head to toe in her favorite color - pink.
While at Disney World, Lauren's dream came true when she spent some quality time with the Pink Power Ranger backstage after a performance. Another favorite of Lauren's is Pocahontas - and when she met her at Disney World, Lauren became a favorite of Pocahontas' too! Lauren asked her mom, "Did you tell Pocahontas I am her biggest fan?!" The character even waved to Lauren during one of the daily parades showing that she remembered her. Lauren's brother,
Christopher's, favorite part of the trip was riding all of the rollercoasters, the best being the Rock & Roll rollercoaster!
The family had a great time and only wish they had more hours in each day to continue the fun adventure!