WISH COME TRUE
Region’s Make-A-Wish Foundation pulls out all the stops to create ‘awesome’ day
Ayrianna Day Chief, 15, revels in the limelight at a surprise Hollywood-themed Make-A-Wish event for her at the Palace Theatre on Sunday. The event marked the 500th wish granted by the foundation’s southern Alberta chapter since 1995.
Lights, camera, action! With a police escort, sirens and a cheering, adoring crowd, 15-year-old Ayrianna Day Chief arrived at Calgary’s Palace Theatre in the style of a Hollywood movie star.
The glammed-out party was organized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s southern Alberta chapter.
The party marked the 500th wish to be granted since its inception in 1995.
The Hollywood theme has always been a dream of Ayrianna’s, who was born with neurofibromatosis, an incurable disease that causes tumours to form on nerve tissue.
“Her sisters do a lot of pageants and do a lot of acting, so they’re always in the spotlight. This was something for her, she wanted to be in the spotlight,” said Crystal Day Chief, Ayrianna’s mother.
Around 160 people came out to celebrate Ayrianna at the fourhour event, which featured six performers, paparazzi, arts and crafts, and food and drinks.
There was even a performance by the star of the event herself, in which Ayrianna sang four songs for the attendees, complete with backup dancers.
The teen said she could barely contain her excitement.
“This is so awesome,” she said with a huge smile. “I’m feeling really good.”
As she walked around the venue, the crowd would shout “Ayrianna! Ayrianna!” and she would pose for anyone with a camera, in true Hollywood fashion.
The guest of honour was also given a Hollywood Award at the event for Most Inspiring Kid.
“My favourite part is seeing everyone come out and support her and being here just for her. It’s seeing a community come together,” said her proud mom.
“It means the world to me, it means just everything to be seeing her happy like this.”
Kim Anthony, CEO of Make-A-Wish, said the plan for the Hollywood party had been in the works for quite a few months. Staff and volunteers put in many hours of work to find the perfect venue and performers to put together the day Ayrianna only dreamed about before, she said.
“We’re so excited to have this be the 500th (wish) because we see how excited Ayrianna is and her family, and that’s really what it’s all about,” said Anthony.