Disney Parks Blog shared the story of father-daughter duo Jim and Lily, Make-A-Wish alumni who now work at Disneyland Resort.

Lily, now a Guest Talent Assistant with Imagination Campus, was diagnosed with a nervous system disorder at 5 years old.

“I was stable enough at 10-years-old to receive my wish from Make-A-Wish and Disney to go on the trip of a lifetime,” Lily shared.

In 2011, Lily sailed onboard the brand-new Disney Dream. Her father, Jim, a U.S. Army Veteran who had just spent 11 months deployed overseas in Iraq, was able to join the family for their sailing thanks to Make-A-Wish.

“The way the crew treated us, we felt like the only people in their obit,” Jim said of the cruise. “The trip was magical in every way and it’s a memory our entire family will always cherish.”

Lily got to experience Pirate Day, swim with dolphins, and meet the ship’s captain, who gifted her a signed Captain Mickey Mouse plush that she still has today.

After her wish came true, Lily joined the Make-A-Wish Oregon chapter volunteer team. As a Wish Ambassador, she shared her story of hope and rallied around the Make-A-Wish mission to create life-changing wishes for other children with critical illnesses.

Jim also served the chapter as a wish granter and together, the family has volunteered their time as airport greeters. In 2021, Jim moved to California and joined the Disneyland Resort Security Special Services team.

Inspired by her dad and her Make-A-Wish experience, Lily joined The Walt Disney Company the next year. Now, she’s working towards becoming a wish-granter for the Make-A-Wish Orange County & the Inland Empire chapter, following in her mother Jen’s footsteps.

Lily and Jim joined Disney and Make-A-Wish at the Wishes Assemble event on World Wish Day.

“My life would not have been the same without the hope, strength and joy Make-A-Wish and Disney brought me and my family,” said Lily. She is seven years seizure-free, and her critical illness diagnosis is considered resolved.

As part of Disney Week of Wishes, several Disney social media profiles are currently sporting icons drawn by wish kids. Disney shared the story of aspiring animator EJ, who got to visit Disney Animation Studios and draw alongside Disney Legend Eric Goldberg. Walt Disney World revealed its reimagined Wish Lounge.

Disney VoluntEARS are assembling over 10,000 wish kits for Make-A-Wish families.

Make-A-Wish honored former Disney CEO Bob Iger with their first-ever WishMaker Lifetime Achievement Award.

Has Make-A-Wish impacted your life? Let us know on social media!