Help Make-A-Wish Colorado Create Joy for Wish Kids This Colorado Gives Day

Photo: Make-A-Wish America

For children facing critical illnesses, a wish can be more than a moment of joy. Through the work of Make-A-Wish Colorado, wishes help children and families find hope, strength and confidence during some of life’s most difficult challenges. For 9-year-old Max, that journey began with his wish to become a chess master.

When Max began experiencing stomach and knee pain, his parents knew something wasn’t right. After countless tests, doctor visits and scans, their fears were confirmed: Max had lymphoma. By the very next day, Max and his family were traveling out of state to begin treatment. A once carefree child, Max suddenly had to trade time with friends for hospital stays and long days of care.

Photo: Make-A-Wish America

As Max went through treatment, he was introduced to Make-A-Wish. Coming from a close-knit family, Max shares a special bond with his older brother, Sebastián. The two love playing chess together, and Max dreamed of one day matching his brother’s skills and finally earning a checkmate of his own. Inspired by that goal, Max wished to become a chess master.

“I was surprised when Max said, ‘I want to learn, I want to play chess like Sebastián,'” said his mom, Nicolasa. “Now that he’s taking classes, he’s excited.” What began as a wish for chess lessons became something much bigger. For Max and his family, the experience offered a chance to look beyond treatments and uncertainty and focus on the future. “Max turned fragility into strength and kept moving forward,” said his father, José. “He’s the one who truly gave us the strength to turn the page.”

Photo: Make-A-Wish America

Today, Max’s lessons are helping him build confidence, sharpen his skills and pursue a goal that once felt out of reach. Since his wish was granted, he has experienced the thrill of checkmating an opponent for the first time and gained a renewed sense of possibility. “The reason I made this wish is because I wanted to be like my brother and beat him in chess,” Max said. “Now I feel like my wish is going to change my life by being a good player like I’ve always wanted to be.”

This Colorado Gives Day, supporters can help create more life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses. Wishes like Max’s provide more than a joyful experience. They help restore confidence, inspire hope and give families something to look forward to during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Make your Colorado Gives Day gift starting now at bit.ly/mawcogivesday and help ensure more wish kids like Max can discover what is possible when a wish comes true.