Make-A-Wish Delivers Hope To Tenafly Child With Critical Illness

Make-A-Wish New Jersey recently granted the wish of a Tenafly child battling a life-threatening, critical illness. Three-year-old Riley’s wish was granted thanks to the support of Jersey Mike’s Subs.

Riley and her family faced what no family ever imagines possible in January 2020. After two months of tests, Riley was diagnosed with a tumor in her back, and a brain tumor. She would undergo four surgeries and chemotherapy, spending over 90 days in the hospital.

After what seemed like a lifetime of anxiety and fear, Riley’s family would face even more devastating news – her tumor had returned.

“Prior to receiving her diagnosis earlier this year, going to the playground was one of Riley’s favorite activities,” her parents Jason and Nicole shared. “During this scary time when there is some risk for anyone leaving their house, imagine the risk for a child in treatment for cancer.”

Riley has endured multiple surgeries, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy is once again on the horizon.

With the current global pandemic, life became even more complicated for Riley’s family. With her immune-compromised system, caretakers for Riley and her new 3-month-old sister could not safely be in the house. Riley’s grandfather, a nurse actively working in the hospitals on a COVID-active floor, could not visit.

Riley’s family was, for the safety of their children, essentially on their own.

Riley’s mom stopped working, and Riley’s dad had to take leave from work to take care of the family during her time in the hospital, beyond the initial diagnosis and treatment – over seven months, in total.

But Riley’s family always remained positive – their family motto seemed to become to always pivot, to “always look forward”, and that they did, and continue to do.

Riley and her family spent time in the hospital discussing the possibilities of a wish, thanks to their incredible medical care team and significant referral source to Make-A-Wish, Hackensack Meridian Health in Hackensack, New Jersey. After much consideration, it was clear that Riley’s greatest joy would come from a playset in her own backyard that she could call her own. With a love for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, the backyard oasis is now themed “Riley’s Playhouse” but has its Disney themes around it.

“One of Riley’s cancers doesn’t have the greatest prognosis, but we will keep hoping and fighting,” her parents Jason and Nicole continued. “However, we don’t want her to spend whatever time she may or may not have left cooped up inside our home. This playset has provided Riley with a safe space where she can get her energy out and just enjoy herself. She has also had two brain surgeries which have affected her mobility and dexterity in her left-sided extremities. This playset has also provided her with another means of physical therapy to help her get stronger. Whenever we ask her, ‘Should we go to Riley’s Clubhouse?’ her face immediately brightens as she runs for her socks and shoes.”

Riley’s wish was granted thanks to the support of Jersey Mike’s Subs and their partnership with Make-A-Wish. Over the past four years, Jersey Mike’s Subs has shown their financial support and dedication to the mission of Make-A-Wish, and through that support they have helped create over 100 life-changing wishes for children like Riley throughout New Jersey.

Now more than ever, Make-A-Wish New Jersey relies on the support of its loyal and generous community to help continue to deliver hope when it is needed most. While wishes that are travel-related or involve large gatherings have been postponed for the well-being of wish kids and families due to current medical and public concerns, the organization remains steadfast in its mission and reaffirms to the community, and to wish families – wishes are not cancelled. Hope is not cancelled.

Make-A-Wish New Jersey was founded in 1983 and has granted more than 11,000 wishes to children in every county, town and municipality of the Garden State. For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey and how you can play a key role in creating hope for the future for kids like Riley, visit nj.wish.org.

For more information on Jersey Mike’s Subs and their culture of giving, visit jerseymikes.com.