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Alli’s Wish: The Trip of a Lifetime

bburton
Explorer C
Allison and family at ranch (2)On August 5th, 2011, our sweet, energetic and charismatic eight year old daughter, Allison, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. In the hospital, there were scary moments, good moments, times when we laughed, times we realized we had so much for which to be thankful, and, of course, times we cried. On March 18, 2012, Alli rang the victory bell, celebrating her completion of chemo and being cancer free!  At that time, we could not wait for her wish with Make-A-Wish®. Allison and siblings in jetway posing - muscles (2)Alli wished to go to Lost Valley Ranch, located in the middle of Pike National Forest, Colorado.  Lost Valley is a special place to our extended family because many of us have vacationed and worked there, but Alli had never been.  Alli had only heard stories and for her wish, she wanted her own Lost Valley story.  Thanks to Make-A-Wish and Southwest Airlines, Alli’s wish came true. Allison in cockpit (2)Our whole experience from beginning to end was so special.  As with every Make-A- Wish trip, it started with a limo ride.  Upon arrival at the airport, we were greeted by friendly Southwest Employees who knew we were with Make-A-Wish and took extra-special care of us!  When we landed in Denver our three youngest children each got to sit in the cockpit with a pilot who explained the different instruments. Alli even got to try out where the flight attendants sit! Next we were off to Lost Valley Ranch.  We were so blessed to have seven days of fun, rest, and restoration, not to mention very good food and great accommodations! True to Lost Valley form, the staff made sure Alli had a great time.  We rode horses every day in the mountains and were reminded why they call it “God’s country”. Allison and pilot (2)Alli’s wish trip was a way to celebrate Alli being cancer free and an opportunity to gain the strength to move forward with a fresh start. We are so grateful to Southwest Airlines for their generous donation of roundtrip tickets for our daughter’s Make-A-Wish trip.  The teamwork between Make-A-Wish and Southwest Airlines made it happen.  We are so grateful!! #LUVfromtheheart