VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - It's been a challenging year for 12-year-old Kylie Le of Chesapeake, but a surprise announcement on Sunday gave her a reason to be excited.
"You are going on your wish to Hawaii," she was told on stage after the first Chartway Virginia Beach 10-Miler.
Kylie was diagnosed with cancer last August, her parents tell News 3, and while she's progressing through treatment well, her wish to visit Hawaii is coming at a time when she and the rest of the family of five could use some rest.
“It’s gonna be crazy," said Kylie's dad, James. "Just getting over there. Everybody’s excited to go. It’ll be the first time she cracks a coconut with a rock, which is what she wants to do. We’ll see how it goes.”
Kylie was one of two Make-A-Wish "Promise Heroes" to have their wishes granted over the weekend of the first Chartway Virginia Beach 5k and 10-Miler.
On Saturday, a four-year-old boy, Max, learned he'd get his wish to go fishing...on a chartered boat!
Chartway Promise Foundation, the charitable arm of race sponsor Chartway Credit Union, is paying for the trips.
“It’s just a privilege to be able to receive so many donations from the run community. They really helped power this wish today," said Christine Wilson, President of the foundation.
Shortly before announcing Kylie's wish Sunday, Wilson told the crowd of athletes that their donations through race registration fees helped raise over $6,600. The foundation plans to grant its next wish at the Old Dominion-Wake Forest football game later in the month.
“September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and so we’re very attuned to all of these families and what they go through and it’s a roller coaster ride. It’s up and down," said Wilson.
And the hope is, surprises like the one granted to Kylie Le will lead to far more 'ups' than downs.
