American Airlines and Make-A-Wish Japan, the local office of the Make-A-Wish Foundation International, on Saturday sent Omoi Sendai, a junior high school student from Toyama Prefecture, off to Los Angeles on the inaugural Japan Wish flight. Omoi, who is battling a complex medical condition called Fanconi’s anemia, has had a long-standing dream of going to Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
Masami Yagi, president of Make-A-Wish Japan, said at a send-off reception, “Granting this wish of Omoi’s to go to Disneyland with his family brings the total number of wishes we have been able to grant over the years to 1,290. We are so happy for Omoi and hope he has a wonderful time.”
Upon Omoi’s arrival at the Los Angeles International Airport, he and his family will be welcomed by volunteers from the Something mAAgic Foundation, a non-profit organization made up of current and former American Airlines employees that support the Make-A-Wish Foundation as it creates magical memories for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Omoi’s dream will come true as he enjoys spending time at Disneyland with his family and a volunteer escort from Make-A-Wish Japan. Omoi will return to Japan on Christmas Day.
An annual event since 1996, WishFlight sends families of children with life-threatening medical conditions to Orlando each fall to experience a week of fun at Give Kids The World Village and area theme parks. Since 1996, 270 children have participated in WishFlights and more than $1,000,000 in cash and in-kind donations has been raised by Something mAAgic to send children from Canada, Mexico, Europe, Latin America and the United States to Walt Disney World. This flight is the first-ever Japan Wish Flight, a similar collaboration by the organizations listed below to make one of the dreams of a Japanese child facing difficult medical challenges come true.
© Japan Today
10 Comments
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Elbuda Mexicano
Wow! Finally some good news for a change! I hope this little boy feels happy, even if it is only for a few days in sunny California!
borscht
Not a pleasant disease but Make-A-Wish is a good program.
niibu_yaa
That is a nice story. The weather here (I'm in Fullerton near Anaheim) was much better than it was a few days ago...but it's still cold. Good thing he didn't come earlier this week as he would have been met with rain and snow in the mountains. The high today was only 16 C/42 F. It is supposed to be the same tommorow.
bebert
Have fun, Omoi.
Pump24
Truly one of the best programs in the world. Please support Make-A-Wish in any way possible. Enjoy, Omoi!
pointofview
It`s very difficult for me to see kids suffering from a medical condition that overwhelms them but when they smile with coursge it blows me away and gives me an opportunity to think about life in more ways then one. Excellent program.
pointofview
courage
nath
No offense, but I thought Tokyo Disneyland would be closer and better than the LA version (it has DisneySea, after all!) But the original Disneyland is where it all began, and there's history there that's not quite in the newer parks.
nath
and thank you, Make-a-Wish foundation, for making a courageous kid very happy.
Sarge
"Make-a-Wish Foundation"
I wish Peace on Earth amd Goodwill Toward Men! And Women! And Kids!