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5,000th wish granted by Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia

Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, a local nonprofit that grants wishes for children with critical illnesses, is preparing to grant its 5,000th wish.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Tia Cordell from Chesapeake will be receiving Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia's 5,000th wish!

Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia is a non-profit that grants life-changing wishes to children with critical medical conditions. Cordell, who is diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, made a wish to go to Alaska.

"I've had it (cystic fibrosis) since I was born and it's kind of just been a lifelong battle. But right now things with my health are improving," said Cordell. 

Despite her condition, the 16-year-old shows amazing strength and determination. She loves the outdoors and has an affinity for adventure which inspired her to want to visit Alaska.

"I'm really outdoorsy. I like to go hunting. One of the activities I'm doing there is dog sledding. The northern lights are over there and I think that's really cool," said Cordell.  

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers at Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, we are proud to have provided the life-changing experience of a wish to 5,000 children and families across the Commonwealth,” said Sheri Lambert, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia. “With the continued support of our community, we can achieve our mission of granting the one, true wish of every eligible child in Virginia.”

On Tuesday, Make-A-Wish hosted a wish sendoff to celebrate the Cordell family. The event had Cordell's wish granter volunteers, friends, and family. 

The celebration will took place at Greenbrier Farms.

Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia's wishes are made possible with the generous support of private donors, volunteers, local foundations and businesses.

Click here to learn more about Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, or call 804-217-9474.

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