MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The annual Walk for Wishes event brought families together in Fitchburg Saturday morning. The event included a one-mile walk, a kids’ run, a petting zoo, food, games, family entertainment, mascots, princesses and characters from the 501st Wisconsin Legion.

Carol McChesney Johnson, regional director of Make-A-Wish Madison, said the event is about more than just raising money. It supports a community of families.

“The families come together to share their stories. They have something in common and get to know each other,” Johnson said. “This becomes an annual event where people come every year to meet with others, to network and see how they are doing each year.”

What she enjoys most, she says, is deepening her relationships with the Wish children and witnessing their progress each year.

“I can put faces to names and meet these kids and see them year after year. Where they’ve been and what they’ve done, whether they graduated, whether they moved from first to fifth grade and how they’re taking their desired experiences into the future,” Johnson explained.

Skyla Lawson is a Wish child who attended the event today. She explained how the event made her feel.

“Especially… yes,” said Lawson. “After everything you’ve been through, you can now do great things.”

She was referring to chronic illnesses, which is exactly what she and nearly 450 children in Wisconsin struggle with every day, and why they are waiting for their wishes to be granted.

Johnson said no child should face such challenges on a daily basis.

“The poking, the prodding, the treatments,” Johnson said. “A wish just gives them hope, strength and joy … the hope of something to look forward to, the strength to really get through those treatments and then the joy of making that wish come true.”

“Walk for Wishes” is an annual event open to the public.

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