Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.  A wish gives children renewed energy and strength, brings families closer together and unites communities.  Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 285,000 wishes to children in the U.S. and its territories; more than 15,300 in 2016 alone. 

Throughout his whole life, Ryker Lyons from Seaford, has dealt with a neuromuscular disorder which has left him limited. However, he always was able to gain solace when thinking about the ocean. So, when Ryker was approached by Make-A-Wish, he knew exactly what he wanted his wish to be; for not just him but his entire family. At six years old, Ryker wished to go to Hawaii, as “his soul is most happy on the beach,” said his mom, Brooke. Ryker gets tired frequently due to his disorder, but on this trip, nothing was going to stop him. He had a blast hula dancing at a luau, swimming with dolphins, and riding in a helicopter over an inactive volcano. When a hike up Diamond Head, a volcanic tuff cone, proved too much for his physical ability, Brooke let him piggy back his way to the top. “There are no words to describe what the trip was for us,” Brooke said. “We can’t thank Make-A-Wish enough!” These are the moments he will remember forever. 

Together as a running community, we have the power to transform lives, just like Ryker, one wish at time.  You can support Make-A-Wish by making a donation today.