I wish to go on The Canadian VIA Rail train

Lily was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis just weeks after she was born. During the first decade of her life, she’s endured various surgeries and treatments including multiple PICC lines (peripherally inserted central catheters) and a g-tube (gastrostomy tube) placement surgery. She’s been admitted to the hospital five times due to failure to thrive. Fortunately, Lily started a new medication a few years ago and though she still requires close monitoring with frequent medical appointments, her overall health has greatly improved. “In a strange way, Lily’s illness had been a bonding experience,” Lily’s mom, Kristen, shared. “While difficult in so many ways, the extra time we spent together doing treatments, going to appointments, and even hospitalizations have built a closeness and trust level we may not have had otherwise.”

Today, 13-year-old Lily spends her spare time gaming, watching videos on YouTube, and immersing herself in art. Her wish was inspired by a content creator’s YouTube video about The Canadian VIA Rail train trip. She specifically wished to ride The Canadian VIA Rail train from Toronto to Vancouver in the winter months stating, “I wanted the animals to pop out and I like how the snow looks on the trees!”

The excitement and anticipation of her wish continued to build with the arrival of the family’s Make-A-Wish shirts, bringing the trip closer to reality. The day finally came, and the second Lily stepped into The Great Hall at Toronto’s Union Station, she was in awe of the historic train station, and then again at Winnipeg’s Union Station that evening, admiring its dome architecture and the beautifully lit city in twinkle lights.

“During the first part of the ride, Lily would see a hill and excitedly ask if it was a mountain,” Kristen shared. “It was with great joy that I got to wake her up in Jasper in time to see the sun rise over a real mountain [with a beautiful and clear cotton candy sky in behind it].” As Lily continued her grand adventure through the prairie fields and the majestic Rockies, she also became an expert at making hot chocolate on the train, befriending someone who taught her how to – something that she would make herself multiple times a day!

Lily loved the entire trip, spotting several animals in the wild including various deer, horses, cows, and coyotes. She constantly took photos of every moment on her phone, expertly cropping and editing them to make them stand out and pop. However, it was the people she met along the way who she confided in and talked to about her life challenges that was the true highlight for her. “Lily found her wish to be validating of the struggles she has gone through,” Kristen shared. “It was an opportunity for her, and for us as a family, to really reflect. It’s given her a chance to ask questions and process her entire journey.”