Kaden's Piano Wish

Music can be entertaining, inspiring, and healing. For 7-year-old Kaden, music is a passion that he has always enjoyed. "He loves music; he always has. It's very calming for him," said his mother. Kaden has heart disease, which led his family to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to declare his wish. Inspired by his love for music, he knew exactly what he wanted when it was time to make his wish. He wished for his very own piano.

Kaden's mother had heard about the Make-A-Wish Foundation and thought, "Why doesn't Kaden make a wish?" When visiting family who had a piano, Kaden would beg to play it and wanted one for himself. Like every wish kid, Kaden had two volunteer wish granters who were part of the entire wish process and helped make it become a reality. When his wish granters, Carmell and Michael, met with the family when Kaden officially declared his wish, Carmell said, "It always kept coming back to music."

This musical wish came true when a new piano was delivered to Kaden's house during a party with friends and family. Carmell and Michael had picked out a special piano that came with thousands of songs and accessories. The unique features of the piano also include karaoke and light up keys that make learning how to play a lot of fun. Kaden's mother said, "It's amazing."

Kaden liked his piano but was overwhelmed when it first arrived. His family was not sure if he would be able to learn how to play, but he followed the lights and was playing it in no time! His mother described it as a special gift for the whole family. Kaden cannot run around with his siblings, but now he has something to turn to and a way to interact with the other kids. They all play and sing together. Carmell described the piano as Kaden's "little planet for him to be able to explore and expand his thoughts." She said her favorite part of the experience was "seeing the magic of the whole event happen."

Kaden and his family are extremely grateful for his wish that keeps giving. "It is something that is just his," his mother said. She added, "Kaden can wake up every morning and have his wish come true."

Kaden is one of 150 children whose fondest wish was realized thanks to the Wish-A-State Program, a unique partnership between Jewelers for Children (JFC) and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.