Walking for wishes
Truro boy helping make wishes come true for others
Having his wish granted allowed Jax Gaudet to forget about being sick for a time. Now he’s busy trying to ensure other children have that opportunity.
e Children’s Wish Foundation helped Jax, who is eager to learn as much as possible about the world wars, make a trip to Hawaii two years ago, so he could visit Pearl Harbor.
Since then, Jax has been an enthusiastic fundraiser for the organization.
“Getting my wish was really nice,” said the 13-year-old. “I want to give another kid a wish and make them feel happy.”
He’s raised money be selling some of his toys and through a family photography event.
He’s also selling tickets on artwork donated by artists Adam Young, of Newfoundland, and Eric Goggin, of New Brunswick. He’ll be out selling tickets on Sept. 28 at Macquarries, Esplanade location, from 3 to 6 p.m., and Sept. 29 at the Atlantic Superstore, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Last year, he raised about $2,000, with a team total around $5,300. He hopes to raise more this year.
“My goal is to beat the older gentleman who raises a lot every year.”
Jax was a toddler when his family recognized something serious was wrong, but it wasn’t until he was seven that he was diagnosed with dysautonomia. With this incurable condition, the system that controls automatic functions of the body, such as heart rate and digestion will malfunc- tion. His blood pressure sometimes rises quickly, and he breaks out in a sweat while his core temperature is low, causing him to be dizzy and sick. He’s gone through many tests and surgeries and takes medication every day.
Despite dysautonomia, Jax’s health has been pretty good during the summer.
He was out on a side by side, went to BMX camp and horseback riding camp, took part in a trail ride, attended a goalie clinic, went bass shing, and spent time hanging out with friends.
One of the special things he was able to do earlier in the year was take part in delivering a wish to a child. He joined a UPS driver who was delivering pool toys to a child who had asked for a pool, and saw the excitement when the youngster heard the pool would soon follow.
Jax’s story will make up a chap- ter in a book called Awaken Your Inner Hero, that will be available before the end of the year.
Jax is now collecting pledges for this year’s Wishmaker Walk. Donations can be made online at www.childrenswish.ca/wishmakerwalk