I Didn’t Expect This At All: Oak Lawn Teen Who Overcame Cancer Surprised with Trip to Hawaii
A Special Surprise for a Cancer Survivor
A 19-year-old whose life was upended when he was diagnosed with cancer during his senior year of high school got a special surprise on Thursday. 19-year-old Angel Santiago and his family will soon head out on a long-awaited vacation to celebrate his recovery and the special trip is all thanks to the organization Nik’s Wish, which works to fulfill wishes for those over the age of 18.
The Story Behind Nik’s Wish
The organization’s work is inspired by Kelli Ritschel Boehle’s son, Nik, who learned during his own cancer battle that people 18 and over don’t qualify for Make-A-Wish. So, the night before cancer took his life, Nik said to his mother, “Mom will you help them have a wish too?” So, this crazy group here, we are just here to bring joy, Boehle said.
A Journey with Testicular Cancer
Angel was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2023 when he was a senior at Oak Lawn Community High School. Surgeries, and later chemotherapy, benched his dreams to play Division 1 soccer. “He wished to go to Hawaii with the family because we used to travel a lot with him for soccer. So when we got diagnosed, we didn’t have any family trips or anything. It was pretty rough and hard for the whole family, not traveling, not watching him play soccer,” Angel’s mother, Anaiz Diaz, said.
A Cancer-Free Diagnosis and a Trip to Hawaii
But in August, doctors announced that Angel was cancer-free, and now he and the rest of his family can relax and celebrate thanks in part to the generous surprise. “I’m just excited for this trip, I’m shocked about it, surprised, grateful, I didn’t expect this at all – I told my friend to keep driving because I didn’t know what this was,” Santiago said.
The Road to Recovery
Angel said after a little bit of R&R, he is determined to make it to a D1 soccer field. “Throughout the journey, it was hard, but I had my family there the whole time so I was positive about it,” Santiago said. The family still has to decide which island they plan on going to, and Angel said he hopes it is soon, so he can escape the cold.
Conclusion
Angel’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and the impact that organizations like Nik’s Wish can have on people’s lives. His journey has been marked by ups and downs, but with the support of his family and the generosity of Nik’s Wish, he is now able to look forward to a brighter future.
FAQs
* What is Nik’s Wish?
Nik’s Wish is an organization that works to fulfill wishes for people over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with a critical illness.
* What inspired the creation of Nik’s Wish?
Nik’s Wish was inspired by Kelli Ritschel Boehle’s son, Nik, who learned during his own cancer battle that people 18 and over don’t qualify for Make-A-Wish.
* What is the purpose of Nik’s Wish?
The purpose of Nik’s Wish is to bring joy and happiness to people over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with a critical illness.
