I wish to meet...

Amanda's story
"I wish to meet Elmo"

Combine the largest Make-A-Wish fundraising event in the country with a brave little girl who loves Elmo, and you have the makings of magic.

This year, in conjunction with the 22nd annual Wish-A-Mile 300 bicycle tour – a fundraiser that garnered $1.52 million - the Make-A-Wish Foundation celebrated its 25th birthday and granted its 6,000th wish!

The milestone wish was that of 3-year-old Amanda, who lives in West Michigan and was diagnosed with metastatic hepatoblastoma, a cancer affecting her liver. She was born prematurely, weighing less than 2 pounds, and doctors kept her in the hospital for almost four months. According to her mom, Merideth, with Amanda's many health challenges, she has spent almost half her life in a hospital.

Yet, ever since Amanda was 18 months old, Elmo could always make her smile. “She liked to watch Sesame Street, but there wasn't nearly enough Elmo in it, so I bought all the Elmo's World DVDs and that satisfied her much more,” Meredith said.

Upon hearing Amanda’s wish, Kevin Clash, Elmo’s “muppeteer,” canceled a prior engagement so he could fly to Michigan to meet Amanda. When Amanda entered the room, Elmo was waiting on the couch, waving and calling her name.

Amanda ran into his arms in a flurry of astonished giggles. The pair spent the next 90 minutes singing, dancing, chatting and laughing. Elmo even called his Sesame Street friend, Abby Cadabby, to speak with Amanda on the phone.

Amanda paused every few moments of the visit to hug and kiss her new friend.

“You’re fuzzy, Elmo,” Amanda said, patting his head. “I’m fuzzy too,” she added, patting her own hair, which is beginning to grow back after chemotherapy. Midway through the visit, she threw her arms around Elmo’s neck and said, “Thank you, Elmo. I love you.”

When it was time for Amanda’s nap, the new friends reluctantly said goodbye, and Elmo presented Amanda with a basket full of toys and videos as a memento of their day together.

Later that night, Amanda and her family took the stage at the Wish-A-Mile awards ceremony and were greeted by a standing ovation from 1,000 cyclists and volunteers – all of whom raised funds to help grant the heartfelt wishes of kids like Amanda.

“Amanda’s wish exceeded our wildest expectations,” her mom, Meredith, said at the Wish-A-Mile 300 awards ceremony. “We’re overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support and can’t thank everyone enough. Today was a day none of us will ever forget.”

Click Here to View Amanda's Wish Video.

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                         Archived Wish Stories

                                         
I wish to meet Annika                  I wish to meet Barry                     I wish to meet
Sorenstam.                                   Sanders and the                           Mario Batalli.
                                                         Detroit Lions.

                   
I wish to meet                              I wish to meet Elmo.
Nicklas Lidstrom.

Amanda, 3, was very surprised to find her beloved TV hero, Elmo, waiting on the couch!

Amanda paused every few minutes during the visit to hug and kiss her new friend.

Midway through the visit, Amanda exclaimed, “Thank you, Elmo. I love you.”

Amanda has a new family photo to treasure.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Knapik