BuzzRx® Grants 500th Wish with Make-A-Wish® (Long)

BuzzRx® Grants 500th Wish with Make-A-Wish® (Long)

Audrey is a 12-year-old girl from Arizona with a passion for fashion. She spends her free time flipping through style magazines and listening to her favorite songs. While Audrey’s interests are not uncommon for girls her age, her life is very different due to a nervous system disorder she struggles with daily. Unbeknownst to her parents, Audrey had a stroke at birth and was diagnosed at 6 months old with a vascular disorder that causes an abnormal tangle of blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, which disrupts normal blood flow and oxygen circulation. At 14 months old, she had a lifesaving surgery but continues to have daily seizures, which began when she was 3 years old.

For the past five years, she has been educated by tutors from noon to 5 p.m. When she’s not at school, Audrey has doctor or therapy appointments to adjust her leg braces or medication. Sometimes, she has multiple doctor’s appointments on the same day.

“My daughter is probably one of the strongest people I know. She never complains about anything. Even if she’s having a bad seizure day, she’s like, ‘I got this,’ and it makes you appreciate the life that you have,” said Lisa, Audrey’s mom.

Although her childhood has had its challenges, Audrey does many of the things typical preteens like to do, like crafting, dancing, swimming, reading, hanging out with friends and dressing up in her favorite clothing. When Audrey learned that she was eligible for a wish, it was clear what she wanted most–to have her very own photo shoot just like the models in the fashion magazines she loves so much.

“I wish to wear a fancy, poufy dress and have my photos taken with my hair and make-up done,” said Audrey.

On February 13, her wish came true at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona thanks to the Make-A-Wish® Arizona chapter and corporate sponsor, BuzzRx®. On the day of her wish, BuzzRx surprised her with a sparkly bee necklace, a Vogue® coffee table book signed by the editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, and a pair of designer sunglasses donated by Ms. Wintour herself. For her photo shoot, Audrey posed wearing three different outfits, including the beautiful blue gown she imagined, had her hair and makeup done by a team of professionals and had photos taken by a fashion photographer. Audrey shined like a star, while her family, including her parents, grandparents and her older sister, who she looks up to dearly, cheered her on.

“I was so happy with the clothes, the makeup, everything,” Audrey said.

“It was such a privilege to see Audrey living out her dreams as a model. She was a natural in front of the camera and the photographer truly captured the strong, confident, radiant person that she is,” said Shane Power, BuzzRx Chief Revenue and Impact Officer.

“It was a real wish come true for her,” said Lisa. “She clicked with the photographer and all the people there supporting her wish.”

“I’m hopeful that this helps create awareness for others to see that kids can have strokes and tremendously challenging health issues. There are a lot of great people doing great things for these young kids, and Make-A-Wish blew away our expectations,” said Audrey’s father Matthew.

Audrey’s wish was BuzzRx’s 500th wish granted through their free Prescription Discount Card program. Learn more at BuzzRx.com/Wish.