Wish Mom Turned Make-A-Wish Employee

The first thing you’ll notice about Cecile is her warmth and gentle cadence in her voice. She smiles with her whole face, especially her eyes, and her radiance and positivity are felt by everyone around her. Cecile joined Make-A-Wish in 2022 as a Wish Coordinator in the Edmonton office. Last April, she moved into the role as Senior Manager, Mission Advancement. But her connection to our organization runs even deeper – her journey first began as a wish mom.

Cecile’s son, Elias, received his wish to visit Walt Disney World^® Resort back in 2017 when he was four years old. Elias was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital heart defect where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped and cannot effectively circulate blood throughout his body. When Cecile and her husband Blair learned of Elias’s diagnosis, they both worried that typical childhood experiences would never happen for their son.

“We know that he will never be done with surgeries, or needing painful procedures, and that the common cold can mean an extended hospital stay,” she said. Yet, amidst the challenges, there were moments of light. Cecile describes the incredible support from other medical families, learning to not sweat the small stuff, and the importance of celebrating every “inchstone” with cake and joy. Her advice to other parents in similar situations? Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. People want to help; they just need to know how.

The impact of her son’s wish inspired Cecile to stay connected to Make-A-Wish through fundraising and eventually led to her role as a Wish Coordinator. “I wanted to bring the same joy to other families that we experienced,” she recalled. “The memories of Elias’s wish experience were long lasting, and I knew as a medical parent myself that I had a unique skill set, and level of understanding that could benefit families we serve.” The hybrid work schedule also provided the flexibility Cecile needed to continue managing Elias’s complex medical care.

When Cecile worked as a coordinator, she found immense fulfillment in building relationships with wish families. She loves getting to know each child, their quirky interests, and crafting personalized wish experiences. “I feel so lucky to connect with them after their wish, seeing their treasured family photos, and sharing in their joy,” she says. Some of her most memorable wishes include helping to grant a “I wish to fly” experience and a wish kid performance at Big Valley Jamboree. Her advice to other Wish Coordinators is to go into each wish with an open mind and let the child direct the experience. For Cecile, these connections are the most rewarding part of her work, creating full-circle moments as she now helps grant wishes for other children with experiences similar to Elias’s.