Lanoka Harbor Child's Wish Granted By Make-A-Wish New Jersey

A local child’s wish was recently granted by Make-A-Wish New Jersey, whose mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. 12-year-old Jesse’s wish for his very own Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy was recently granted, thanks to the 2019 Jersey Mike’s Subs “Month of Giving” Campaign, which raised over $458,000 for Make-A-Wish New Jersey in March.

Jesse, of Lanoka Harbor New Jersey, has high-functioning autism. Like most kids his age, Jesse would live his daily life carefree, enjoying going to school and being with his friends. Amidst a transitional time in their lives with Jesse’s mom between jobs and finishing graduate school, and just one week after his 12th birthday this past spring, Jesse received the devastating news that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“This came to us as a complete shock,” his mother Cheyenne shared.

Jesse would have to undergo a rigorous treatment plan to tackle the terrifying diagnosis. But he faced the fears and anxieties of a critical illness with courage and determination, never giving up. For over five months, Jesse’s life was put on hold. After an immediate 10-day inpatient stay at Children's Specialized Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health, Jesse would undergo weekly hospital visits, bi-weekly chemotherapy, and completing his treatment plan with radiation five days per week. In October, Jesse finally completed treatment.

“He’s back in school now, and we’re waiting for his port to be removed,” Cheyenne continued. “Soon, we’ll have a PET scan to see if all is clear.”

Amidst the turmoil of treatment, Jesse was referred to Make-A-Wish. As soon as he heard he would experience the life-changing power of a wish, Jesse knew right away that he did not want to travel anywhere. From his very first day in the hospital, in fact, he had shared with his mom that he wished he had a small puppy to cuddle with, to make him “feel a little better” during the difficult, lonely days and nights. When he was asked that powerful question, “if you could have one wish, what would it be?”, Jesse didn’t hesitate. His wish was for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy, and he named it “Loki.”

“Loki has done everything she was asked to do as Jesse’s wish – she cuddles with him every night, and makes him ‘feel a little better’,” shared Cheyenne. “She’s sassy and amazing! She comforts him, she shows him so much excitement when he comes home from school…Loki is a support for Jesse, more than I ever could be.”

Jesse’s first meeting with his new best friend took place at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, a magical and whimsical wish-granting castle that Make-A-Wish New Jersey calls home.

“It was a magical experience!” Cheyenne exclaimed. “We toured the castle, and he declared his wish there. Make-A-Wish is amazing.”

Jesse’s wish was granted thanks to the funds raised by local Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants as part of this year’s “Month of Giving” campaign. In March, 67 Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants throughout New Jersey joined forces with Make-A-Wish New Jersey, raising vital funds needed to aid the organization in their mission. The monthlong customer-donation campaign, which culminated with the “Day of Giving”, a day when Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants donated 100% of the day’s sales, raised enough funds to grant nearly 50 wishes to kids like Jesse.

“Thank you, Make-A-Wish and Jersey Mike’s Subs,” Cheyenne continued. “Without people like you, Jesse wouldn’t be as happy and supported as he is. Thank you.”

Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted nearly 11,000 wishes since its inception in 1983. The generous support of corporations like Jersey Mike’s Subs is critical to the organization’s continued success.

For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey, visit nj.wish.org.