How it all began
The Make-A-Wish® Story
Inspired by
Christopher James Grecius
August 8, 1972- May 3, 1980
Arizona Trooper |
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In
April of 1980, a young boy named Chris was dying
from leukemia. A friend knew that Chris wanted to
be a motorcycle officer when he grew up. This very
special friend spoke to a member of the Arizona Department
of Public Safety (DPS), the Highway Patrol, about
Chris. Within days, several motorcycle and patrol
officers from DPS stopped by to say “hello.” After
meeting the 7-year-old, the officers wanted to
do more.
On
April 29, 1980, arrangements were made to take Chris
for a ride in a Ranger helicopter with a local news
reporter who filmed Chris’ dream coming true.
A ride in a police car and an opportunity to drive
(with a fellow sergeant assisting) followed. To top
it all off, Chris got to ride on a motorcycle with
sirens blaring. He was personally escorted on a tour
of the Department while being carried in the arms
of various officers. A few hours later, Christopher
was sworn in as the first, and only, honorary Arizona
Highway Patrolman in the state’s history—complete
with a Smoky Bear hat, tour of the radio room, official
badge and signed certificate. Chris’ comments
included “Neato!” and “Hey, that’s
my name…Chris Grecius!”
Several
days later, a local businessman associated with the
DPS and two employees of John’s Uniforms donated
a custom-made highway patrolman’s uniform to
Chris. That morning patrol cars and motorcycles poured
down the street into the driveway to see Chris one
more time. Earning his wings was next, as he mounted
his battery-powered motorcycle that had taken the
place of his wheelchair, from time to time, over
the last year. The obstacle course set up in the
driveway was no deterrent to Chris, and a pair of
custom-made wings, donated by a local jeweler, was
added to the patch on his small uniform.
Chris
succumbed to the leukemia that had ravaged his body
on May 3, 1980, just three days after his wish. The
motorcycle officers decided that full honors were
in order for their fallen officer who had so touched
them.
The
dreams of this young boy did not die with him, but
instead live on in the wishes of thousands of children
who suffer from life-threatening medical conditions.
Thirty-eight dollars, five people and nine months
after Chris’ passing, the Make-A-Wish Foundation
granted its first wish to a boy named Bopsy who wanted
to be a fireman.
By
January of 1982, the Make-A-Wish Foundation was
becoming well known. NBC aired a television special on the Foundation featuring another wish child. This
inspiring story touched the heart of the nation,
and the grassroots organization that started out
of the desire to see a smile on the face of a critically
ill child was about to grow…and grow…and
grow.
(Paraphrased
from a document by Linda Bergendahl Pauling, Co-Founder
of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Chris’ mom)
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