Georgia Family’s Make-A-Wish Trip Brings Aurora Borealis and Snow to Young Heart Patient

Fairbanks, Alaska – A family from Kingsland, Georgia, experienced the magic of Alaska thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, fulfilling a young daughter’s dream of seeing the aurora borealis and playing in the snow. The Tarantino family’s trip, which took place in February, provided a welcome respite and joyful memories for Evelyn Tarantino, who lives with a congenital heart defect.

A Wish Rooted in Medical Challenges

Evelyn Tarantino suffers from tricuspid atresia, a rare congenital heart defect. This condition can lead to various health issues, requiring ongoing medical attention and treatment Make-A-Wish® Alaska & Washington. Her family sought a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation to provide a positive experience amidst the challenges of her illness.

Experiencing the Alaskan Winter

The Tarantino family – parents Michael and Kimberly, along with Evelyn and her brother Dominic – arrived in Fairbanks on February 8th for a five-day visit. The trip was carefully coordinated by Make-A-Wish to ensure a seamless and memorable experience. Activities included a dogsledding adventure, exploring local cuisine, a Northern Lights tour and a visit to Chena Hot Springs webcenterfairbanks.com.

Building a Snowy Dream

Evelyn’s primary wish was to build a snowman, a simple joy unavailable to her in her Florida hometown. “We don’t get any snow, and [Evelyn] wanted to have enough snow to build an Olaf and see the lights like in Frozen because Elsa is one of her favorite princesses,” Kimberly Tarantino explained webcenterfairbanks.com. The family was delighted to find ample snow upon arrival, allowing Evelyn to immediately experience the winter wonderland she had dreamed of.

Make-A-Wish: A Support System for Families

Kimberly Tarantino emphasized the significant support provided by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, noting that the organization handled all travel arrangements and logistics. “When you have a Make-A-Wish kid…most of the time you’re planning everything from doctor’s appointments to scheduling procedures…and as parents, it gets exhausting, so it was nice to kind of not have to worry about any of that,” she said webcenterfairbanks.com.

About Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska & Washington is dedicated to granting wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses, aiming to enrich their lives with hope, strength, and joy makeawishwa.org. The organization creates life-changing experiences for children and their families, offering a break from the stresses of medical treatment Make-A-Wish® Alaska & Washington. Make-A-Wish anticipates a 30% increase in wish-granting this year Washington Gives.