A second wish wanted

By: 
Jill Meier, Journal editor

Kaley Maassen on her first day of school last week. (At left) Kaley, at age 3, during her first visit to Disney World. Submitted photos.

Kaley, at age 3, during her first visit to Disney World.

Brandon girl hopes to return to 'happiest place on Earth'
 
Kaley Maassen was just 3 years old the first time she ventured to the “happiest place on earth,” Disney World.
The trip, which was spurred by her chromosome condition, was compliments of South Dakota Make-A-Wish.
But when the little girl who was born with a chromosome 6 deletion was diagnosed last year with stage four Lymphoma that spread to her bones and bone marrow, she spent weeks at the Sanford Castle in Sioux Falls where she underwent rounds after round of chemotherapy.
Now 10, Kaley and her family have a second wish to return to the “happiest place on earth.”  
“A year ago, when Kaley started chemo, we were told she would receive a wish through Make-a-Wish,” explains her mother Brooke Maassen.
Kaley picked Disney World.
But it was then the Maassens learned Kaley’s second wish wouldn’t be granted – at least not from Make-A-Wish.
Shortly after learning of the disappointing news, a fellow parent of a chromosome 6 child informed them of A Second Wish by the Demetrius, an organization dedicated to kids just like Kaley.
The Tampa, Fla.-based organization was started by Angela Small in 2015. In 2008 her nephew was first diagnosed with brain cancer at age 2. It came back at age 7, and he was granted a piano by Make-A-Wish. The cancer resurfaced when he was 12 and when his wish to take his family to meet his grandmother in Atlanta was denied, Small funded the trip herself. Several weeks later, he passed away.
In 2015, Small left her job to focus on Second Wish.
“We’re a small organization trying to do big things,” she said.
Since forming in 2015, Second Wish has granted three wishes. And now she wants to help grant Kaley’s wish to return to Disney World in 2019.
“My goal is to help three more kids before the year is out,” she said.
“Kaley has been through so much in her short life and the cancer was so nasty on her that this would be wonderful for our family,” Brooke Maassen said. “And our kids have missed out on so much fun.”
Small said the cost for Kaley’s wish is about $6,500.
Because Second Wish has a wish waiting list and limited amount of funds, the organization relies on donations from businesses and organizations in communities of Second Wish hopefuls like Kaley.
On Sept. 15, Second Wish will have its annual Virtual Step Challenge using Fitbit or similar technology. Donations, based on steps, can be designated to a particular child featured on the Second Wish website, asecondwish.org.
“Families are hearing about Second Wish, which is great,” Small said. “I just want to help the children and I know that doors will keep opening.” 

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The Brandon Valley Journal

 

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