by Make-A-Wish Michigan Helps Young Boy Meet His Astronaut Hero
Make-A-Wish Michigan, a nonprofit that creates unforgettable experiences for children battling critical illnesses, recently made a dream come true for a young boy named Kaden — connecting him with his favorite astronaut, José Hernández.
“Wishes give kids the strength to keep fighting and bring joy to their families,” the organization shared.
Kaden not only met Hernández, a real-life astronaut, but also got the VIP treatment with a special behind-the-scenes tour at NASA. It was an experience he’ll never forget.
“Everything was amazing! Thank you! Kaden had a blast. My cheeks never hurt so much from smiling so hard,” said his mom, Michele, reflecting on the trip.
José Hernández, a Mexican American engineer and astronaut, flew aboard the Space Shuttle during mission STS-128 in 2009. His journey from migrant farmworker to NASA astronaut is told in his book Reaching for the Stars and in the Amazon Prime movie A Million Miles Away.
Kaden was especially inspired by Hernández’s story of perseverance. His mom said the movie taught him an important lesson — to never give up — which has now become Kaden’s personal motto.
Every 20 minutes, a child in the U.S. is diagnosed with a critical illness. In Michigan alone, around 800 children are expected to receive such a diagnosis this year, according to Make-A-Wish Michigan.
The organization recently shared Kaden’s story at their Wish Ball in Grand Rapids, helping raise more than $652,000 (and counting) to support future wishes. Since its founding, Make-A-Wish Michigan has granted over 12,000 wishes across the state, thanks to generous donors and volunteers.
