(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Granting life-changing wishes to kids with critical illnesses across the state, one of the powerful stories by Make-A-Wish Colorado was shared on FOX21 News’ lifestyle show, Loving Living Local, on Friday, May 16, as five-year-old Ariel was able to experience his dream of being on TV.
According to his mom, Sandra Gutierrez, Ariel was born with a critical illness, which caused him to have a blocked airway. “He needed a trach, which is a tube that was put in his throat and is connected to a ventilator that helps him breathe,” Sandra wrote.
Through Make-A-Wish Colorado, Ariel was granted all three of his wishes: to meet Spider-Man, go to Disney World, and be on TV.
Earlier this month, Ariel was able to meet Spider-Man during his Wish Reveal at Dave & Buster’s in Colorado Springs. When asked about his favorite part, Ariel said: “His Webs!”
“Ariel’s wish is a special story,” said Scott Dishong, CEO of Make-A-Wish Colorado. “He loves Spider-Man.” He added that Make-A-Wish Colorado is grateful for every volunteer who helps make their dream of granting wishes come true.
“Volunteers came together to work on projects to help with wish-granting and then got to be a part of celebrating Ariel,” he said. “It was a great example of the community coming together to help bring joy to a family who deserves it.”
Ariel was also able to experience his television debut on Friday and meet Loving Living Local host Justin Antweil, along with several other members of FOX21.
“Now he’s having this awesome experience here with you all on the news and will get a studio tour after this and really feel embraced by the community. It’s amazing what the community can do when they are united in making a wish kid smile,” said Dishong.
Next, Ariel and his family will go to Disney World and Universal Studios. When asked what it meant to Sandra, she said she’s just grateful to spend time with family, “…and enjoy our very first time away from all of the chaos that has been surrounding Ariel’s illness.”
“So Ariel’s wish is one of many to come,” said Dishong, who added that Make-A-Wish Colorado has been granting wishes for kids across the state since 1983. Around 400 kids, just like Ariel, are waiting for their wishes to be granted, and around 100 of them are right here in the Pikes Peak region. To donate to or volunteer with Make-A-Wish Colorado, visit wish.org/colorado.
