Jersey City Native & Make-A-Wish Alum To Host Special Event

Joyce Sweeney, born and raised in Jersey City, was diagnosed with cancer at a young age. In 2002, she was granted a life-changing wish to be a model for the day with the Barbizon Modeling and Acting School. Today, Joyce still remains connected to Make-A-Wish New Jersey, and on Sunday, July 18th, Joyce will be hosting a fundraising event at Halftime Bar & Grill in Jersey City, in support of their mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Joyce’s wish in 2002 left a lifelong impact on her – an impact she hopes to provide to other children going through the fears and anxieties of a life-threatening diagnosis as she did nearly 20 years ago.

“My wish was to go to Barbizon the school of modeling and acting,” Joyce shared. “I had no self-esteem and I knew this could possibly help, as it also would brighten my day from moments of treatment. This wish meant and still means a lot to me because even though it has taken years for me to get on a life journey of self-love, I am still here and that wish had a lot to do with it.”

In the fight against a critical illness, a wish serves as a catalyst for renewed strength and encouragement for every child and family on their journey. A wish helps kids look past their limitations, families overcome anxiety and entire communities experience joy.

Joyce set out on a mission in 2019 to host her first fundraising event to benefit Make-A-Wish, but the global pandemic forced her to re-envision everything. Instead of cancelling her plans, she quickly pivoted and turned it into a virtual experience in May 2020, so she could continue towards her goal of raising vital funds for a mission close to her heart.

“At first I felt discouraged because I knew everything had shut down, and I would be limited,” Joyce continued as she reflected back on the past 15 months. “However, what helped me pivot is the thought of growing up in a household where the mentality is “making it work with what you have.” I knew I had my creativity and people who cared and would love to support me. I also thought about the wish children, and how they may feel and what they might be going through during this time. My determination and motivation kicked in, and I came up with idea to have a virtual event.”

Joyce raised over $1,600 from her virtual program in 2020. Since then, Joyce has had to overcome even more obstacles, including health issues and even surgery, but her spirit is stronger than ever and she has not lost sight of her goal to grow from her initial $1,600, and combined with this year’s event, raise the funds needed to grant the wish of a local New Jersey child battling a life-threatening, critical illness.

“What’s new and different from last year is that last year was just virtual, but this year will be in person and virtual,” Joyce shared. “Last year’s theme was to encourage others to apply self-love; this year’s theme is to encourage others to embrace their scars with love, and to press your way forward despite your obstacles, because you simply can.”

“I was granted more than just a wish, I was granted another chance at life,” Joyce continued. “I want to make sure that I not only live a life that is fun and fulfilling, but a life with purpose and change. I’m cancer free, but the fight doesn’t end with treatment. It ends when I am able to get others on board in changing the way we fight our battles, and get through our life’s obstacles.”

Joyce’s event, “Celebrating Wishes Come True With Love Through Scars,” will take place at Halftime Bar & Grill on West Side Avenue in Jersey City, Joyce’s hometown. The afternoon and evening will be filled with food, music, a photo booth, inspiring stories from Joyce’s wish, as well as a celebration of Joyce’s journey through the presentation of a video about her recent photoshoot sharing the emotions behind the scars and embracing scars with love.

Event: Celebrating Wishes Come True With Love Through Scars

Event Date: Sunday, July 18th 2021

Event Time: 4:00PM – 8:00PM

Event Location: Halftime Bar & Grill, 746 West Side Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306

Event Cost: $55 per person

For tickets, additional information, or to make a donation, contact Joyce Sweeney at jsweeney2427@gmail.com or visit https://wish.org/nj/celebratin....

About Make-A-Wish® New Jersey
Make-A-Wish New Jersey creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. In the fight against a critical illness, a wish serves as a catalyst for renewed strength and encouragement for every child and family. A wish helps kids look past their limitations, families overcome anxiety and entire communities experience joy. Most importantly, wishes can improve a child’s quality of life. Put simply, we believe a single wish transforms lives. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, with 59 chapters serving children in every community in the United States and its territories, and nearly 40 international affiliates serving children on five continents. Make-A-Wish New Jersey was founded in 1983. Serving children in every municipality in the Garden State, Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted over 11,000 wishes since its inception. For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey, call 800-252-WISH or visit nj.wish.org and discover how you can help transform lives, one wish at a time.