Make-A-Wish Grants Life-Changing Wish To Bogota Teen

Make-A-Wish New Jersey recently granted the wish of a Bogota child battling a life-threatening, critical illness. 15-year-old Liani, who courageously battles a rare Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor, wished for an Apple iPad Pro and an Apple Pen, to help her continue to pursue her passion and a career in graphic design.

Liani was diagnosed with cancer in October of 2019. As a teenager, her life was immediately turned upside down.

“Her diagnosis forced us to change the way we approached life,” her mother Natacha shared. “Things that once bothered us or worried us became instantly minute. We learned to look at where our legs were standing and live in that moment, minute, second. All that mattered was the love we had for her and one another and being there for her every step of the way. Whether it consisted of listening to music together, eating a meal together, or just talking...we learned to be fully present in every moment we were given.”

Liani would face rigorous treatments to battle her diagnosis, but her family stood beside her every step of the way.

“We were all afraid of what her treatment would look like and of the outcome” Natacha continued. “She was afraid. She was encouraged to feel her feelings aloud. Liani got angry, she felt sad, she cried but she also became hopeful. There were no rules in how to deal with it.”

Liani was referred to Make-A-Wish by members of her medical team at Mount Sinai Hospital. During her time in the hospital, Liani would find herself diving deeper and deeper into the world of digital and graphic design as a way to distract herself from the realities that surrounded her. She had quickly fallen in love with being a graphic designer. After taking some time to consider what would be most important to her during the pandemic, Liani declared that her one true wish was an iPad Pro so she could create digital art and stay connected with family through facetime during the quarantine.

“Liani was very emotional on her wish day, overcome by joy,” Natacha shared. “Make-A-Wish put together a surprise video from her family members, teachers, and the Make-A-Wish team members who made her wish possible. They also joined her on a ZOOM call to cheer her on as she opened her gifts and treated us as a family with takeout food from Liani's favorite Indian restaurant. We can see that it touched her heart as she became tearful and smiled. It is a day she will always remember.”

“Liani's wish has given her the opportunity to create art wherever she goes, especially during her car rides to and from her medical appointments,” her mother continued. “She has been given the chance to be creative. Her art helped her get through chemo, and it is a positive way for her to channel her emotions.”

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 Liani, visit nj.wish.org.

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 approximately 60 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.