Lexi Glenny, a sixth-grade student at Wellwood Middle School, thought she was just going to lunch with her mother and a friend last Wednesday, Sept. 2. But little did she know she was in for a big surprise.
When Lexi walked into the headquarters of TERACAI and CXtec in North Syracuse, she did not know there was a room full of friends and family ready to surprise her with an announcement that she will be going on a Disney Cruise with her family through the Central New York Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“I was really surprised, I thought we were just going to lunch,” said Lexi.
“I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve the night before the announcement because I was so excited,” said Alicia Glenny, Lexi’s mother. “It was hard to not let Lexi know how excited I was.”
The party was decorated with a theme of Disney and hot pink zebra print, and was held at TERACAI and CXtec headquarters in North Syracuse. Bull and Bear Roadhouse catered the event because one of Lexi’s favorite foods is barbecue ribs.
Lexi was diagnosed with an immune disorder when she was two-years-old, which makes it hard for her body to fight off infections and disease. She must go to an IV antibody therapy treatment every three weeks to be able to stay healthy.
“We’re just so grateful for all of the support we’ve gotten and we can’t wait to go on our trip and relax,” said Alicia.
According to Diane Kuppermann, CEO of Make-A-Wish of CNY, the average cost of a wish today is about $12,000. Lexi’s wish to go on a Disney Cruise with her family was made possible through the fundraising efforts of TERACAI and CXtec. This is the eighth wish that the company has helped raise funds to sponsor a child’s Make-A-Wish dreams.
“This is my favorite day of the year. It’s so great to see the excitement on a child’s face when they walk in and hear their wish is being granted,” said Peter Belyea, president of TERACAI and CXtec. “Giving back is one of the core values of the companies … So many people are willing to help out because Make-A-Wish is such a great organization with so many successes.”
Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children between the ages of two-and-a-half and 18 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. Make-A-Wish of CNY has granted about 1,600 wishes to children since their inception in 1985 to children in a 13-county area.
“Having business sponsorships like this are crucial for Make-A-Wish being able to grant all of the wishes that are referred to us,” said Kuppermann.
Lexi will be going on her Disney Cruise in November, where she hopes to get to spend time with her family, including her mother, older brother, younger brother and grandmother. She said she hopes she will get the chance to swim with a dolphin.
“I think it would be so cool to get to swim with a dolphin! I can’t wait for the trip,” said Lexi at her surprise party.
To learn more about CNY Make-A-Wish, visit cny.wish.org.
Hayleigh Gowans is a reporter for the Eagle Bulletin. She can be reached at [email protected].
