Make-A-Wish kids Madison and Kylie first met in the hospital, where they were recovering from brain tumor surgeries performed by the same doctor just days apart. What began as quiet support between their families during the girls’ long treatment and recovery soon grew into a powerful friendship. They bonded over shared experiences, shared courage and a shared love of Disney… especially Stitch. Through every step of their medical journey, Madison and Kylie became each other’s ‘ohana: chosen family who offer support, joy and understanding when it’s needed most.
So when it came time to choose their wish, the answer was easy. They wanted to experience Walt Disney World together and meet their favorite Disney character.
Disney stories have always celebrated the friendships that make us stronger. From Buzz and Woody to Timon and Pumbaa, Mike and Sully to Stitch and Angel, each one is a reminder that life is better with a friend by your side. Madison and Kylie share that same spirit.
As the world’s largest wish granter for Make-A-Wish, Disney understands the lasting impact of these moments for wish kids and their families. A Disney wish is granted every hour of every day, and more than 170,000 wishes have been granted together by Disney and Make-A-Wish over the last 45 years. That commitment inspired Disney to create a special “best friends” surprise designed just for Madison and Kylie.
When they arrived at Magic Kingdom, the girls were whisked away for a private meet-and-greet with Stitch and his best friend Angel. Madison and Kylie were smiling from ear to ear as they created a little bit of mayhem with this iconic duo. Most importantly, this moment was an unforgettable reminder of the joy and strength that friendship can bring.
“I think it’s amazing that Disney and Make-A-Wish make all these wishes and dreams come true for children who are truly suffering with serious illnesses,” said Kylie’s mom, Celeste. “After something like this, we can see that there’s something happy at the end of every rainbow. Disney makes that happen. This is where magic happens, and it doesn’t just end with this moment.”
To learn more about wish granting at Disney, visit Impact.Disney.com.