8 year old leukemia survivor gets his wish granted

“Make A Wish” made another dream come true on Friday in the Imperial Valley.

Ayden, a student from T.L. Waggoner Elementary, has been fighting leukemia for several years.

At just 8 years old, he’s as full of energy now as every other kid his age.

But that hasn’t always been the case.

Ayden’s mother, Andreina Mascarenas said, “It was such a long journey for him for three and a half years.”

Doctors diagnosed Ayden with leukemia at just 3 years old.

But after several years, in 2017 Ayden beat the disease.

Mascarenas added, “This is finally like the tip of the icing. Just like we’re done, he’s in remission. He remains in remission and we’re just excited.”

Ayden’s one wish, a dream that any 3rd-grade student would love.

A dream vacation to the Nickelodeon Resort.

Ayden said, “Well I was surprised and a little, I was kinda crying.”

The Make A Wish Foundation hopes this will give Ayden something to look forward to as he continues to recover.

Lydda Ochoa, a Make A Wish Foundation Volunteer said, “It creates hope in them and strength. And we feel that it helps with their recovery. We feel like it helps with their treatment and that’s our number one goal.”

School officials say Ayden is an inspiration.

T.L. Waggoner Principal, Javier Ramos said, “You know it’s about adversity and dealing with it. And you know he’s doing the very best that he can. And again for us here as we watch him come back from his treatment and his day to day. It’s really fulfilling to see that he can go through that and still come back and come with a smile and be ready to learn.”

Ayden looks forward to spending time away with loved ones.

Ayden said, “My family they love me and my mom and my dad and my sister. They love me a lot.”