THE GOAL:

Here at Rebecca’s Wish, our mission is to provide hope to children with pancreatitis, but we feel a compelling need to also help financially when possible.

DONATE HERE

THE GIFT:

For every $25 donated to Rebecca’s Wish, you will receive a very special note card set, with the art work created by Rebecca herself. Donations of $100 will receive 4 sets of cards. (All card sets include 6 cards).

DONATE HERE

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CONSIDER THIS:

As you kicked back over your holiday weekend in front of a TV watching the Rams beat the Saints or the Patriots dump the Chiefs, Rebecca Taylor, Founder of Rebecca’s Wish, the 501(c)3 she started in 2018 to battle the scourge of pediatric pancreatitis, pounded the pavement on the Northwest Side. Her mission: to lock down donations and gift cards from local businesses for a family fundraiser for Rebecca’s Wish called Wild for Wishes. San Antonio Zoo is the location of this exciting, first-of-its kind fundraiser for Rebecca’s Wish.

The photo used for this blog, shows Rebecca and her friend, Amelia, smiling after receiving donations from Bowl and Barrel and General Public for Wild for Wishes.

WILD FOR WISHES:

What:  A night of imagination and transformation. Children with pancreatitis will be roaming through San Antonio Zoo along with their families for a night of fun and fundraising.

When: Saturday, March 30 from 6:00-11:00 p.m.

Why: The goal is to raise funds for pediatric pancreatic research, education, and patient support to enable efficient and effective resource deployment to produce better outcomes for children afflicted by pancreatic ailments and diseases.

“It feels amazing to know Rebecca’s Wish has the strength to pay it forward to other children with pancreatitis, just one year since we launched this non-profit,” said Rebecca’s Wish Founder Rebecca Taylor. “Wild For Wishes will raise awareness about pediatric pancreatitis and give children with this terrible disease a night of fun with friends, and the chance to take their mind off their medical conditions.”

PURCHASE TICKETS & SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

You can help make this event a success with your support. We ask you to consider a sponsorship package in addition to purchasing tickets. We need transformational leaders to sponsor key portions of the party and to underwrite large cost items for Wild for Wishes. We anticipate a crowd of 750-1000 people taking part in this night, which is the signature fundraiser in 2019 for Rebecca’s Wish.

There are multiple levels of sponsorship available. Sponsorships help cover a large portion of the costs for the event and ensure children with pancreatitis get the opportunity to attend this party at no cost. As a nonprofit organization, we depend on generous donors to help give life to Rebecca’s Wish.

ABOUT REBECCA’S WISH:

Rebecca’s Wish is a 501(c)3 launched by a 16-year old high school sophomore from San Antonio, Rebecca Taylor. Rebecca founded this non-profit in 2018 as a result of her eight-year struggle with chronic pancreatitis and related complications. She is one of the few children in the world, now living without a pancreas.

In its first year at a non-profit, Rebecca’s Wish in 2018, raised more than a half-million dollars, with donors and supporters captivated by the magic of a teenager who turns cannot into can do.

Among the many accomplishments of Rebecca’s Wish, the charity spearheaded an agreement with local hospitals to help train the world’s first pediatric-trained pancreatic endoscopist. To my surprise, despite all the advances in modern medicine, pediatric-trained physicians who  specialize in pancreatic care did not exist prior to this initiative launched by Rebecca’s Wish. Oftentimes, children with pancreatitis are told there is no help available, or they are sent home to die. Although the pancreas is a vital organ, the treatment options are extremely, extremely limited, especially for children.

So that we can continue to train pediatric specialists to fight this medical scourge, we are asking for your help as we team up with San Antonio Zoo for Wild for Wishes.

We are available to answer questions you might have about this event or you can  learn more about Rebecca’s Wish at RebeccasWish.org. We thank you for your consideration of a cause that is working hard to better understand a disease that afflicts more than 100-thousand children annually.

BUY TICKETS HERE

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Rebecca  is one of the few children in the world now living without a pancreas. Rebecca’s body started shutting down a decade ago because of an unknown auto-immune disease which eventually attacked her pancreas. She suffered for years in agonizing pain until receiving a lifesaving surgery which removed her pancreas. Every day, she is still fighting for her life.

As opposed to wallowing in self-pity, Rebecca decided to fight for the thousands and thousands of children diagnosed annually with pediatric pancreatitis, a disease for which there is no known cure. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation heard about Rebecca and approached her to make her dreams come true, Rebecca sidestepped the ordinary and shot for the extraordinary. She asked for a medical philanthropist to help her start a non-profit, so that she could help children just like herself, suffering from this tortuous disease.

In its first year at a non-profit, Rebecca’s Wish in 2018, raised more than a half-million dollars, with donors and supporters captivated by the magic of a teenager who turns cannot into can do. 

Among the many accomplishments of Rebecca’s Wish, the charity spearheaded an agreement with local hospitals to help train the world’s first pediatric-trained pancreatic endoscopist. Despite all the advances in modern medicine, pediatric-trained physicians who specialize in pancreatic care did not exist prior to this initiative launched by Rebecca’s Wish. Often, children with pancreatitis are told there is no help available, or they are sent home to die. Although the pancreas is a vital organ, the treatment options are extremely, extremely limited, especially for children. 

So that we can continue to train pediatric specialists to fight this medical scourge, Rebecca’s Wish is teaming up with San Antonio Zoo for to bring you Wild for Wishes, which will be a night of imagination and transformation. Children with pancreatitis will be roaming through the zoo along with their families for a night of fun and fundraising. 

Rebecca’s Wish is hosting Wild for Wishes to raise funds for pancreatic research, education, and patient support to enable efficient and effective resource deployment to produce better outcomes for children afflicted by pancreatic ailments and diseases.

We hope you will help Rebecca’s Wish come true…

WILD FOR WISHES:

What:  A night of imagination and transformation. Children with pancreatitis will be roaming through San Antonio Zoo along with their families for a night of fun and fundraising.

When: Saturday, March 30 from 6:00-11:00 p.m.

Why: The goal is to raise funds for pediatric pancreatic research, education, and patient support to enable efficient and effective resource deployment to produce better outcomes for children afflicted by pancreatic ailments and diseases.

“It feels amazing to know Rebecca’s Wish has the strength to pay it forward to other children with pancreatitis, just one year since we launched this non-profit,” said Rebecca’s Wish Founder Rebecca Taylor. “Wild For Wishes will raise awareness about pediatric pancreatitis and give children with this terrible disease a night of fun with friends, and the chance to take their mind off their medical conditions.”

PURCHASE TICKETS & SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

You can help make this event a success with your support. We ask you to consider a sponsorship package in addition to purchasing tickets. We need transformational leaders to sponsor key portions of the party and to underwrite large cost items for Wild for Wishes. We anticipate a crowd of 750-1000 people taking part in this night, which is the signature fundraiser in 2019 for Rebecca’s Wish.

There are multiple levels of sponsorship available. Sponsorships help cover a large portion of the costs for the event and ensure children with pancreatitis get the opportunity to attend this party at no cost. As a nonprofit organization, we depend on generous donors to help give life to Rebecca’s Wish.

The post Helping Make A Wish Come True appeared first on Rebecca's Wish.

Dr. Laborda is a Rebecca’s Wish Pediatric Advanced Endoscopy Fellow currently training with physicians in the Alamo City who are at the forefront of pediatric pancreatitis research. Rebecca’s Wish selects one fellow annually to train in San Antonio. The position is a highly coveted fellowship with the funding coordinated by Rebecca’s Wish. Dr. Laborda is the fourth Fellow brought to San Antonio for this specialized training. 

Upon the completion of his training, Dr. Laborda will return to Utah and use the skills he learned in San Antonio to treat children in the Rocky Mountain region stricken with pancreatitis, who previously had no local access to a pediatrician trained to treat pancreatitis.

Dr. Laborda likens his appointment in San Antonio to divine intervention. He says he was leading a men’s Christian Bible study group in Utah and talking to a friend in the study group about Rebecca’s Wish and his strong desire to get the Rebecca’s Wish fellowship.

Turns out that Dr. Laborda was unwittingly having a conversation with a cousin of Rebecca’s Wish President, Christyn Russell. Talk about a small world!

“Throughout the entire process, I realized God orchestrated every minute detail, and I am so incredibly blessed to be here to be His hands and feet to help heal patients,” said Dr. Laborda.

Learn more about Dr. Laborda, his work with Rebecca’s Wish, and his pursuit to find a cure for pediatric pancreatitis in this quick video: CLICK HERE

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Presslynn Finkbeiner has been dealing with the physical torture and the agony of pancreatitis for much of her young life. Just two years old and she has already experienced the ordeal of two endoscopic procedures to alleviate the symptoms of pediatric pancreatitis. 

Presslynn and her family live in Cibolo, Texas which is a suburb of San Antonio. They are extraordinarily grateful that by sheer coincidence, they live in a part of the country where you have many of the most highly trained physicians  with the expertise to treat pediatric pancreatitis. 

Presslynn’s parents want to tell you about her struggle with pediatric pancreatitis but also share with you about the support they have received from Rebecca’s Wish. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH BRITTANY, GRANT, AND PRESSLYNN FINKBEINER

Thank you very much for continuing to support Rebecca’s Wish! Our nonprofit is working hard to find a cure for pediatric pancreatitis. Many of your donations are helping fund our Pediatric Advanced Endoscopy Fellow Program. Our Fellows train with physicians in San Antonio who are at the forefront of pediatric pancreatitis research. Rebecca’s Wish selects one Fellow annually to train in the Alamo City. After their training, these Fellows return to their hospitals along with the skills and training they received in San Antonio. Our goal: to help place pediatric-trained pancreatitis specialists across the world.   

Rebecca’s Wish also uses its donations to provide scholarship funding to the families of pediatric patients who are hospitalized for long stretches because of their illness. Some of our pancreas families have been hospitalized more than 200 days. That means parents are staying in hotels and forced to pay for meals and they’re away from their jobs and not working. Just this week, a family opted not to pay their electric bill so that they could pay for the medical care for their child with pediatric pancreatitis. Our team at Rebecca’s Wish learned about the family’s financial hardship and provided them with a Rebecca’s Wish scholarship. We’re told the family was able to pay for their electric bill after receiving a check from Rebecca’s Wish.

On behalf of all the children and the families who receive support from Rebecca’s Wish, we are deeply grateful for your support.

Much love to you,

Christyn & Rebecca

Presslynn relaxing in her hospital crib

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Their bond first took shape when they were little girls at Leon Springs Elementary School, and it strengthened over the years, despite attending different high schools.

On May 13th, during one of the final Daily Chapel Prayers for the Class of ’21 at TMI, Jessica dedicated her Senior Chapel Talk to Rebecca.

“You never know a person’s story by looking and them and everyone deserves a chance,” Jessica astutely told her classmates. “Rebecca’s journey has greatly strengthened my own faith as I found myself turning to the Lord more and more, not only when things were not going well, but also when they were.”

Jessica’s prayer was live-streamed by TMI and watched by Rebecca from her hospital bed. As part of the Chapel Prayer that day, Rebecca had pre-recorded a reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians [4.8-13] which was shown to the Senior Class before Jessica’s prayer. (CLICK HERE TO WATCH)

[8] Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

[10] I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now a last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.  

[11] Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.

[12]I know what it is to have little, and I know what is is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.

[13] I can do all things through the One who strengthens me. 

We are touched by Jessica’s unconditional support for Rebecca and their unshakable and enduring friendship. Jessica’s prayer is a must see as far as we are concerned. Be sure you stick around until the end for a very touching moment.

The post Jessica’s Prayer appeared first on Rebecca's Wish.

Kelsey wrote her AP Chemistry paper with Rebecca Taylor in her thoughts. “The Chemistry Behind Digestion and Pancreatic Enzymes” can be read by CLICKING HERE.

To learn more about Kelsey’s assignment and to hear her in her own words, CLICK HERE, to see her interview with Rebecca’s Wish.

The post Kelsey’s Project appeared first on Rebecca's Wish.

CONSIDER THIS:

We want to tell you about a transformational leader in San Antonio, who at the age of 19, leaves us in awe as she carries herself with grace, passion, bravery, and fearlessness that is well beyond her years.

Her name is Rebecca Taylor. Rebecca’s body started shutting down more than a decade ago because of an unknown auto-immune disease which eventually attacked her pancreas. She suffered for years in agonizing pain until receiving a lifesaving surgery which removed her pancreas. Every day, she continues to fight for her life.

Rebecca resting at home in November 2021 with her brothers Alexander(l) and Nicholas(r).

As opposed to wallowing in self-pity, Rebecca decided to battle for the thousands of children diagnosed annually with pediatric pancreatitis, a disease for which there is no known cure. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation heard about Rebecca and approached her to make her dreams come true, Rebecca sidestepped the ordinary and shot for the extraordinary. She asked for a medical philanthropist to help her start a nonprofit, so that she could help children just like herself, who suffer from this tortuous disease.

On April 30th 2022, Rebecca’s Wish, the nonprofit founded by Rebecca Taylor, is teaming up with San Antonio Zoo for a night of imagination and transformation called Wild for Wishes. Children with pancreatitis will be roaming through the zoo along with their families for a night of fun and fundraising. In order to continue the fight we NEED your help.

PURCHASE SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

We ask you to consider a sponsorship package in addition to purchasing tickets when they become available in February 2022. We need transformational leaders to sponsor key portions of the party and to underwrite large cost items for Wild for Wishes. We anticipate a crowd of more than 1000 people taking part in this night, which is the signature fundraiser for Rebecca’s Wish in 2022.

There are multiple levels of sponsorship available. Sponsorships help cover a large portion of the costs for the event and ensure children with pancreatitis get the opportunity to attend this party at no cost. As a nonprofit, we depend on generous donors to help give life to Rebecca’s Wish.

Rebecca Taylor and her family tug-of-war with a lion during Wild for Wishes 2019

WILD FOR WISHES:

What:  A night of imagination and transformation. Children with pancreatitis will be roaming through San Antonio Zoo along with their families for a night of fun and fundraising.

When: Saturday, April 30 from 6:00-11:00 p.m.

Why: The chief focus of Wild for Wishes is the sponsorship of pediatric pancreatitis patients to attend Camp Hope, which is a summer program we created in partnership with the National Pancreas Foundation, so that children with chronic pancreatitis can experience the joy of attending a camp with children who share a similar life journey.

“It feels amazing to know Rebecca’s Wish is able to pay it forward to other children with pancreatitis and to provide hope,” said Rebecca’s Wish Founder Rebecca Taylor. “Wild for Wishes will raise awareness about pediatric pancreatitis and give children with this terrible disease a night of fun with friends. At the same time, it is wonderful knowing that money raised during Wild for Wishes will be helping children with pancreatitis to attend camp this summer for free.”

“We picked the name Camp Hope, because these children need hope, and if this camp can provide hope through their disease path, it’s a win win for everyone,” stated Rebecca’s Wish President Christyn Taylor. “Medical expenses are enormous for a child with pancreatitis, and typically so prohibitive, that is is challenging for families to pay their rents let alone send a child to summer camp.”

You can help make this event a success with your support. We are also asking local businesses to donate items and gift cards to support our silent and live auctions.

CLICK HERE: DONATE TO THE SILENT & LIVE AUCTION

ABOUT REBECCA’S WISH:

Rebecca’s Wish is a 501(c)3 launched by a 19-year old college freshman from San Antonio, Rebecca Taylor. Rebecca founded this nonprofit as a result of her lengthy and painful struggle with chronic pancreatitis and related complications. Her pancreas was removed more than 10 years ago in order to save her life.

In its three years as a nonprofit, Rebecca’s Wish has raised more than two million dollars, with donors and supporters captivated by the magic of a teenager who turns the misfortune of her disease into hope and healing.

Among the many accomplishments of Rebecca’s Wish, the nonprofit spearheaded an agreement with local hospitals to help train the world’s first pediatric-trained pancreatic endoscopist. In addition to successfully positioning four pediatric-trained endoscopists across the United States, with a fifth currently being trained, Rebecca’s Wish also teamed up with NIH and the FDA in Washington, D.C. to start the process of developing the first drug-targeted therapy for pancreas disease.

To our surprise, despite all the advances in modern medicine, pediatric-trained physicians who specialize in pancreatic care did not exist prior to our initiative. Often, children with pancreatitis are told there is no help available and are essentially being sent home to die. Even though the pancreas is a vital organ, the treatment options are extremely, extremely limited, especially for children.

We are available to answer questions you might have about this event, or you can  learn more about Rebecca’s Wish at RebeccasWish.org. We thank you for your consideration of a cause that is working hard to better understand a disease that afflicts more than 100-thousand children annually.

Tracee Feik   traceefeik@yahoo.com

Dina Selva    dinaselva@me.com

Wild for Wishes Co-Chairs

WILD FOR WISHES TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE IN FEBRUARY

The post Wild for Wishes 2022 appeared first on Rebecca's Wish.

“You all were such a blessing to CJ and I this year. CJ lost his father and grandmother/bestfriend to Covid in January…. Definitely one of the hardest times in our lives. I also was hospitalized with severe Covid pneumonia and came home on oxygen. Just when I had lost all hope, your family blessed us with a $1000 check. God Bless you all always.” – Jenna Alonzo, CJ’s Mother.

Like with CJ’s situation, many of these families are struggling with the extreme costs of long-term hospitalization, and then on top of those expenses, there are hardships of Covid that are profoundly hurting the children we are trying to help. With all that said, Rebecca has decided once again that she  wants to hold a holiday fundraiser to raise money for these families. It’s our annual Hospital Holly Campaign!

We have an incredibly generous, anonymous donor who is willing to match up to $21,000 of all donations for this fundraiser. Rebecca’s goal is to raise an additional $21,000, so that there is a $42,000 total for Rebecca’s Wish.

We will donate scholarships ranging from $1,000 – $5,000 to families of children with pancreatitis who face large medical expenses, bills for their hotel and meals, and lost wages due to lengthy hospital stays. The need for these scholarships is profound! Some families are unable to pay for the gas to transport their child to a hospital for necessary surgical procedures. Another family sold their only car because they needed the money to pay for their child’s care. Rebecca’s Wish regularly gifts scholarships over the course of the year to children with pediatric pancreatitis, but we anticipate more families needing our help over the holidays.

We ask you to think about the families in dire need. The families that have lost hope. The families who are hurting. Help us make an unexpected holiday miracle come true.

With sincere love and gratitude to each and every one of you…

Rebecca’s Wish

DONATE HERE

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The photo of Rebecca Taylor, Founder of Rebecca’s Wish, shows her sitting next to a mound of Christmas gifts, none of them being hers. Instead, as has been the case for the last ten years, Rebecca has played Santa and delivered presents and checks to children who are hospitalized with pancreatitis over the holiday season. We call this initiative the Hospital Holly Campaign.

Your support for this holiday initiative has been amazing, and although  we met our original fundraising goal, we are still accepting donations to help these children throughout the year.

This fundraising campaign ends on January 1st. We hope you will get behind these children and their families, who very much need your help.

DONATE HERE

We will donate scholarships ranging from $1,000 – $5,000 to families of children with pancreatitis who face large medical expenses, bills for their hotel and meals, and lost wages due to lengthy hospital stays. The need for these scholarships is profound! Some families are unable to pay for the gas to transport their child to a hospital for necessary surgical procedures. Another family sold their only car because they needed the money to pay for their child’s care. Rebecca’s Wish regularly gifts scholarships over the course of the year to children with pediatric pancreatitis, but we anticipate more families needing our help over the holidays.

Many of these families are struggling with the extreme costs of long-term hospitalization because of pancreatitis, and then on top of those expenses, there are hardships of Covid that are profoundly hurting the families we are trying to help.

DONATE HERE

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