Foundation aims for $40,000

When Anthony Bechelli was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor two weeks before Christmas, he didn't know how long he had to live. It was then that he and his family decided to contact the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant him one last wish.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation, along with W3D 107.3 FM, will put on its second annual radiothon from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the University Mall in Carbondale, with the goal of raising $40,000 for the region. Sandra Leherar, president of the southern Illinois region's Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter, said the foundation fulfills about 200 wishes a year on average from this area. "We're very enthusiastic about the radiothon, not only because of our goal, but because we're here for the community," Leherar said.

Bechelli, 19, of West Frankfort said he was first diagnosed with the brain tumor when he was 17 years old. For his wish, Bechelli asked for a custom-made guitar, which he said brought him comfort throughout his illness. After more than a year of treatment, the John A. Logan College student is in remission.

"The foundation really gave me spirit," Bechelli said. "I really enjoyed the gift."

Those who will be volunteering for the radiothon include the Saluki football team's offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover and 13 football players. Limegrover said the Foundation is something that he holds close to his heart after a good friend of his lost a child whose life had been touched by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Foundation fulfills 80 to 90 percent of the referrals they receive, Leherar said.

In order for a referral to be valid, it must be from a doctor, social worker or family member who is involved with the child. The diagnosis for the child must also be life threatening.

Michelle Evans-Hayden, also of West Frankfort, said she knew she had a long fight ahead of her when her daughter, Maleia, was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a disorder that can cause eye and internal organ irregularities. In January, Maleia had her wish of meeting Ariel, a Walt Disney character, at a resort in Florida.

Hayden said, without the Foundation, she would not have been able to fulfill her daughter's wish, and urges parents with children in similar situations to contact the program. The trip not only touched Hayden personally, but it prompted her to become a volunteer for the Foundation.

Kelly McKenzie's daughter, Miranda, was diagnosed with leukemia when she was three. When Miranda was about to have a bone marrow transplant, McKenzie applied for a wish to go on a family vacation. A few years after their trip to Disney World and just two days before her 15th birthday, Miranda died.

McKenzie said her daughter is her motivation behind volunteering for the radiothon, and while it is still very painful, the videos and pictures from the trip with Make-A-Wish Foundation bring her comfort. "Yes, it's hard that she's gone but at the same time, she is the reason why I volunteer," McKenzie said.

For more information about the Radiothon, contact Arrianna Loose, Promotions Director at 618-997-8123. To find out more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation visit their website at http://www.wish.org