Thursday, Dec. 04, 2008

Make-a-Wish Foundation grants wishes to 2 Tri-City girls

By Dori O'Neal, Herald staff writer

KENNEWICK -- Maleah and Sadi wished upon a star recently, and guess what?

Their dreams came true.

Both will take their first airplane rides Sunday -- their families in tow -- to go to Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

The dreams were made possible by Make-a-Wish Foundation because Maleah Silva Dorton, 7, and her cousin Sadi Retana, 6, both have life-threatening illnesses.

Maleah, daughter of Cynthia and Mike Dorton of Pasco, was diagnosed as an infant with a tumor in her right forearm. The tumor attacks the bones, and she's undergone several surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

"It's been in remission now for three years so we're hopeful," said Maleah's mom. "But if it comes back she could end up losing her arm, otherwise it will spread throughout her body."

Sadi, daughter of Michelle and Gabriel Retana of Kennewick, has spina bifida, a malady that nearly cost Sadi her life when she was 3 years old.

Spina bifida is a developmental birth defect in which there's an incomplete closure of the spinal cord. The condition means Sadi has spent her childhood in a wheelchair.

However, on Wednesday night both of these little girls showed no signs of sadness about their serious health conditions. They were having way too much fun with their families and friends at the bon voyage pizza party at the Pizza Hut restaurant in Kennewick.

Terri White, Make-a-Wish Foundation representative, said Sadi and Maleah had the option to choose their own wish. Instead, the cousins decided it would be more fun to combine their wishes and go someplace together.

That place is Disney World, where the girls and their families (all 12 of them) will spend seven days of first-class treatment at the Give Kids The World Village Resort. The resort provides memorable, magical, cost-free experiences to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Maleah and Sadi couldn't be more excited.

"The first thing I'm going to do when we get there is go on a ride," Maleah said, beaming enthusiastically.

Neither of the girls seemed worried about taking their plane ride either.

White said Maleah and Sadi, along with their families, will get VIP treatment while at Disney World. Though the flight, accommodations and most meals are free, the girls also receive stipends for lunches and purchasing souvenirs.

"They'll get special treatment at Disney World as well as Give Kids The World Village, including not having to wait in any long lines," White said. "They'll have wrist bands that identify them as Make-a-Wish kids, which means they'll be moved to the front of the line where ever they go."

Their meals will be free at the village, and there also will be doctors and nurses on staff at the resort for any medical attention the girls might need, she added.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation makes wishes like these possible through private and corporate donations. More information about donating to the organization can be found at www.northwestwishes.org.

Make-a-Wish's purpose is to take the fragile life of a child with a life-threatening illness and create a little magic.

"The dream came true," Maleah said. "I'm so excited."