A Look Back on Zack ’ s Wish
A COLOSSAL WISH TO NEW BEGINNINGS
When Make-A-Wish first met Zack in June 2005 , he was just five years old and battling a rare form of cancer . Enduring more medical procedures than most people experience in a lifetime , his wish was a welcome distraction . This young dinosaur enthusiast knew exactly what he wanted - his very own T . rex dinosaur .
Zack will never forget the day his wish came true . After spending the day as a paleontologist with visits to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Carnegie Museum , the dinosaur connoisseur followed “ dinosaur tracks ” back to his home . Standing there waiting for him was his very own T . rex statue , which he named “ Meaty ,” because “ dinosaurs eat meat .”
“ Seeing Zack smile for a day and have fun like a normal kid was overwhelming ,” Zack ’ s mom said . “ That one day made up for months and months of having no childhood .”
Today , Zack is cancer-free , works as an account manager for a medical equipment manufacturer and is looking forward to marrying the love of his life . He is a proud advocate and fundraiser for Make-A- Wish , knowing that his wish was the spark of hope he needed to recover from his illness . Meaty still stands tall in the family ’ s backyard , reminding Zack that there is always hope .
“ Looking back , my wish is what I remember . I don ’ t remember being extremely sick ; I remember the day when I was just able to be a kid .”
Now
-Zack , Wish Alum