Make-A-Wish sends off one beneficiary

Jackie Doctor, center, poses with staff from DFS, Make A Wish Foundation, as well as friends and family for a light-hearted send off at the Surf Club on Dec. 17. (MICHAEL T. SANTOS)

Wish kid Jackie Doctor joined friends, family, the many the people behind the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and DFS staff at the Surf Club for a light-hearted send-off before her departure to Disneyland.

Doctor and her family left Saipan yesterday, Dec. 19, and will meet up with her sister in Disneyland. Her trip will cost approximately $5,000.

Her mother, Tina Doctor, said, “I’m so thankful for everything that the foundation is doing, not only for my daughter but for our entire family. Actually, thank you isn’t enough to show our appreciation and we’ll be forever grateful to them.”

Doctor, 17, from Mount Carmel School, said, “I’m really excited for the upcoming trip! I’m so thankful I’m having my wish granted as well as to be able to bring my family with me so we can be together during Christmas [is a blessing].”

Jackie has a medical condition known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic inflammatory disease. It is characterized by an autoantibody response to nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens. SLE can affect any organ system, but it mainly involves the skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, and nervous system.

Doctor would be about the fifth wish granted by Make-A-Wish this year.

Eleanor Cabrera, CNMI board member representative, said, “This was meant to be a lighthearted lunch gathering to just touch base with the family and see if things are running smoothly.”

Also present for the sendoff were some DFS staff. The company donated traveling necessities to Doctor as well a held fundraiser for the foundation.

Jamika Reyes-Taijeron, promotions manager for DFS Saipan, said, “We’ve been working with Make A Wish Foundation for many years now and it’s one of the many ways we try to give back to the community.”

The fundraising accumulated over $1,800 but will continue until January. Several fundraising events include a raffle, selling of soba to employees, a bake sale, and the Make-A- Wish tree in their store.

“We just want to earn as much as possible to help the foundation,” Taijeron said.

For those wishing to donate, visit the T Galleria to purchase a Make-A-Wish Star to be placed on the Christmas tree that decorates the building. Each star costs $10 and will have buyers writing their personal wish for the recipient.