I’ve been fortunate, over the years, to have met a number of the kids who’ve been the beneficiaries of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Some have brought me to tears, some have made me laugh, and all have been thoughtful representatives of this organization; but none have left the indelible impression made by Sophia.  The guest of honor at this year’s Cocktails for Wishes event benefiting MAW’s Southern Nevada chapter, co-hosted by Gigi Shaukat and Jess Sigala, Wish Kid Sophia touched everyone present with her unfiltered optimism, enthusiastic outlook, and unadulterated moxie.

The setting, once again, was the posh Rockwell Group-designed Nobu Villa, seated atop the Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace.  And located next to the pool table, with its chocolate felt painted with pink cherry blossoms, was a sushi chef from the world’s largest Nobu Restaurant (conveniently located, downstairs, on the Casino level), slicing, rolling, and plating guests’ sushi needs; while the uniformed wait-staff made its way among the rooms and out on the expansive terrace, past the Japanese garden, past the barbeque area, and past the table-tennis court, to where the occupants of the aligned wicker loveseats enjoy what is perhaps the most interactive view of the Strip, and where guests that evening partook of the vista while being offered skewers of Nobu’s signature Rock Shrimp Tempura (sauce on the side).

Roughly 85 guests gathered to hear Sophia, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease in 2014, and her family discuss how much the granting of her wish – to visit the elephants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, at the Walt Disney World Resort, in Bay Lake, Florida – affected her life.  In addition to her parents and sister, Sophia was joined by her Wish Granters, Heather Gauntt (who is also a Medical Outreach Specialist with MAW’s Southern Nevada chapter), and her boyfriend, Nicholas Libonati.  Together, Sophia, Heather, and Nicholas addressed the guests, and presented the video about how Sofia was told about her wish. 

Another thing that we learned was that while many people think that Make-A-Wish is only for children with terminal illnesses; the fulfillment of wishes is offered to children who present with life-threatening illnesses.  This means that many (more than half, in fact) overcome their conditions.  I’m happy to report that Sophia falls into this most enviable category; and that her cancer is in remission.

Later, after the presentation, I spoke with Sophia, and shared with her a little tidbit about her beloved pachyderms – namely, that they are among the biggest boozers in the jungle – a kernel of knowledge I gleaned from frequent viewing of The Big Bang Theory.  It kinda blew her mind.  Sadly, as I sat down to write this essay, I decided to Google the phenomenon; and came to find that despite a number of studies and books and eyewitness testimony, that (based on a study published in 2006 in the journal Physiological and Biological Zoology) the science just isn’t there.  Said the co-author of the study, biologist Steve Morris, “People just want to believe in drunken elephants.”  I know I do; and now, thanks to my erroneous information, Sophia does, too.   

Make-A-Wish of Southern Nevada
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#PowerOfAWish