Make-A-Wish families attend 'Aladdin' at Marcus Performing Arts Center; portion of sales to benefit foundation

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Disney's Aladdin is in town, just for the week, at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. 

A portion of each ticket sold is benefiting the Wisconsin Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

Parents and a dozen children got to be here for this special invitation. Their stories may be different, but when you talk to them, you hear one thing in common: they've battled and have come out on the other side stronger. 

It's a big year for Wisconsin's Make-A-Wish. At 40 years old, they're doing big things. 

"We are budgeted to grant 405 wishes this year alone, and that's just in Wisconsin," said Forrest Doolen, of Make-A-Wish Wisconsin.

A 5-year-old from Milwaukee is the latest recipient. Make-A-Wish is sending Porter to Disney World in 2024. Disney's been a popular ask. 

"They came to talk to her and talked about all the things that she loved, and she loves princesses," said Heidi Hernandez, mother. 

Heidi Hernandez recalls the day life changed. 

"She was diagnosed, at the age of three, with kidney cancer," Heidi said. 

Four years later, Talia's cancer free, but getting scans every three months and enjoying a night out with her mom and the extended she's made in the Make-A-Wish organization. 

Making memories at this Disney show, which remind them of memories made at Disney World. 

"She made me my own princess. My name is Princess Talia," said 2nd grader, Talia Hernandez. 

Chelsea Provan's a high school senior now. She'll never forget her wish. 

"Staying at the Disney resort was like amazing," she said. "So, it was like a nice time to just, all of us, be together, like stress-free."

Those stressful times started at age 10.

"The night of my birthday, I kind of was in so much pain that I was like scream crying, so my mom took me to the ER," Chelsea said. 

Seven years later, Chelsea's doing well and staying active with the organization that let her and her family go to Disney in Hawaii. 

"It's the continued involvement with Make-A-Wish that is actually more rewarding than the wish itself," said Tina Provan, mom. 

Make-A-Wish will be granting its 8,000th wish this year, to a young lady who dreams of singing. 

If you'd like to be a wish granter by purchasing tickets to a show at the Marcus Center, click here and use the promo code "WISH."

If you'd like to send donations to Make-A-Wish, you can find out how to on their website.