community service / 202 PAY IT FORWARD /
and Making Memories
Today, nearly two years later, Iverson and her team have successfully granted 44 wishes throughout Arizona to those at the end of life’s journey, and the families and recipients couldn’t be more thankful. “When you have a family member who is terminally ill, it can be hard to look at life in a positive way,” says Kimberly Neal, daughter of a wish recipient. “But this foundation goes out of their way to bring families together to find joy and peace—and that is something I am forever grateful for.” Neal’s father was a wish recipient in 2012. Through the foundation, her father was able to attend a National Football League game featuring the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49‘ers. He also received an autographed jersey from Early Doucet (wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals) and meet the Arizona Cardinals’ owner as well as players and coaches from both teams. “I just remember the look on his face,” Neal says. “The foundation brought our family closer together and helped us create a memory that will last forever.” Neal originally heard about the foundation from local news and reached out to share her story, not knowing what to expect. Within 48 hours, not only had the foundation responded to her application but they were planning to visit her parents. “I couldn’t believe how quickly I heard back,” Neal says. “They really take the time to meet and get to know
each applicant and that is huge.” Each month the foundation receives applications from all over Arizona and reviews their stories, considering each person’s health problems, physical limitations and financial means before choosing wish recipients. “Everyone has different wishes and dreams they hope to do during their lifetime,” Iverson says. “For some, it’s as simple as visiting or reconciling with a loved one and for others it’s as big as a cruise or vacation—we try our best to consider each application, make the connections and make the wish h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