Van Ru is a Bronze Corporate Partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern Illinois, part of the oldest and largest wish-granting organization in the world. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is dedicated to making wishes come true for children with serious illnesses.

Since 2001, Van Ru’s employees have raised more than $90,000 in support of this organization. Money is raised when employees “purchase” the option to dress casually for up to six days each month. Once the monetary goal is achieved, a check is presented to the Make-A-Wish organization, and another child’s wish is granted.

Here are some recent examples of wishes that Van Ru employees have helped come true:

Evan & Jared: Dirt Bike Brothers

Evan is a fun, outgoing sixteen-year-old who lives with his family in Bolingbrook. Evan loves to listen to music, watch movies and play video games. Evan’s thirteen-year-old brother is one of his best friends and they love to spend time together. They both even share a passion for dirt-biking and love to watch competitions on TV.

In 1989 Evan was diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Since then he has been receiving treatments and going about life as a normal teenager. Throughout the treatment for his illness, Evan’s brother Jared has been by his side. Jared also has sickle cell disease and the brothers have gone through every step of their treatment together.

When Evan found out he was going to have a wish granted, it didn’t take him long to decide that he wanted his very own dirt bike. In September, Evan and Jared were presented with brand new dirt bikes and all the gear and accessories they could imagine. Evan loved the experience as it gave him something to look forward to during treatment, and he now loves to ride his brand new bike with his brother. Every time he thinks of his wish or rides his bike, Evan can’t help but smile.
 

Lasara: Having A Ball At Lincoln Mall

Lasara is a very friendly and happy 12-year-old girl who lives in Chicago Heights with her mother. There is never a dull moment in Lasara’s house as she has five sisters and one brother. Lasara loves spending time with her siblings doing some of her favorite activities, such as bike riding, roller-skating, coloring and making bracelets. Lasara is a very intelligent young lady and loves math and reading all kinds of books! In Lasara’s opinion, a good day would be spent reading, watching a Julia Roberts movie, and enjoying a meal from Subway.

In April of 2005, Lasara was diagnosed with Ependymoma, a disease in which cancer cells form in the bran and spinal cord tissues. Lasara is doing well, and is receiving daily medication, which allows her to continue her daily activities. 

Through her treatment, Lasara has been a strong, persevering young lady, but everyone knew it was time for a break. In July of 2005, Lasara left her hospital visits behind and headed to Lincoln Mall! Arriving to the mall in style in her own limo for the day, Lasara spent the entire day shopping and enjoying lunch at Subway. Lasara loved every minute of her trip and her mother was thrilled to see her smile!

Nick’s Computer Surprise

Sixteen-year-old Nicholas lives with his parents and older brother. He was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition called Hodgkins Lymphoma in early 2004. Currently undergoing radiation, Nick had lost his hair from the strenuous treatments, but he is happy it’s growing back now.

His family describes Nick as an average teenager but admits he is very sensitive. He loves computers and his favorite foods include his mom’s chop suey and ham. He loves video games, the Discovery channel and Comedy Central. He is also an animal lover and has two cats. His family says that having a wish experience to look forward to helped Nick get through some rough times with his illness. Once Nick decided he wanted a computer for his wish, his family asked Make-A-Wish to make the delivery date and celebration a surprise. Nick was thrilled to receive his new computer, and being a wiz, he had it up and running in 20 minutes. He said the surprise was really the best part.
 

Maranda’s Hawaii Adventure

14-year-old Maranda lives with her parents and nine-year-old sister. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a life-threatening medical condition in September 2003 and has chemotherapy treatments every 2-4 weeks. She does her best to keep her mind off of her disease by doing some of her favorite things. She loves watching movies, especially those with Reese Witherspoon, and listening to the music of Beyonce and Brad Paisley. She also likes shopping, playing Yahtzee and reading the Left Behind book series.

Maranda’s wish was to go Hawaii. She felt that it would be a great getaway and a trip of a lifetime. For her dream vacation, she and her family arrived at the airport in a limo and were greeted with a floral lei once they landed in Hawaii! They were also able to see the many sites of Hawaii. They took a tour of the land in a helicopter and took a cruise on the beautiful waters.  They also took classes included lei making, ukulele and hula, and fish feeding. The family even attended a real luau.