In front of a live audience of more than 10,000 Associates, Isagenix Chief Sales Officer Travis Garza, Strategic Consultant David Wood and his family, Ben, a bright-eyed Make-A-Wish® kid, talked about being diagnosed with leukemia, his struggles, and how he declared his hospital room a “no-cry zone”—mostly to be strong for his mom.
To acknowledge Ben for being such a courageous young man, his new Isagenix family wanted to do something special, something memorable. Something that required a little magic—his favorite!
With the help of a magician, Ben was asked to participate in the live show, performing several mind-blowing tricks, including the finale, which revealed his wish to meet a platypus which will be granted this fall! The heartwarming moment when Ben learned he would be traveling to Australia, the only place in the world where one can see platypuses in the wild, deeply touched his family and the audience!
“I’ve performed magic for my entire life and rarely do you have a day as fun and moving as today was. What we’re doing here is just great,” says Gerry Katzman, a magician for over 30 years.“To see a child’s face light up because he’s doing magic, and then to see a glimmer of hope in his eyes performing what he loves to do was inspiring,” says Gerry.
Meet Wish Kid Ben
Ben was an active 10-year-old boy who enjoyed magic, watching educational videos on YouTube, and telling his friends about his favorite animal, the platypus, when he unexpectedly got sick.
The diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which would come as a complete shock to his parents, Ingolf and Stephanie. His treatment would require he spend the next year in and out of the hospital.
During that time, Ingolf and Stephanie would send regular emails to their family, in part as personal therapy—heartfelt emails that shared Ben’s journey.
“Ben was diagnosed with leukemia
on Friday. He was admitted to Rady Children’s Hospital the same afternoon, and has been there ever since. Stephanie has been with him around the clock, and Leon [Ben’s brother] and I have joined them every day while trying to keep some sanity in Leon’s life as well.”
This past June, Ben completed his last chemotherapy treatment and began a two-and-a-half year “maintenance” period. While this period brings new challenges and freedoms for Ben, who’s now 11, he is ready. In particular, he can’t wait to return to school and see his friends. But, before he does, Ben agreed to visit our annual Celebration event and share his story.
Since 2010—with your support—Isagenix has raised almost $1.5 million, helping to grant 190 wishes.
If you would like to help make more wishes come true, visit your Back Office “Manage Autoship” section to make a $1 or more automatic charitable donation on every order.
More on Make-A-Wish
Visit the “Culture” tab on Isagenix.com or, visit wish.org for more information about Make-A-Wish America and worldwish.org for more information about Make-A-Wish International.
If you have any questions or a Make-A-Wish story to share, email IsaWish@IsagenixCorp.com.
