Original Air Date: March 7, 2011
A Pennsylvania teen with a life-changing condition experienced the chance to see the Iditarod in the seat of a musher's sled.
Coming from Renfrew, Pennsylvania, 15-year-old Stephanie Hogan saw that dreams do come true.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted her wish after she discovered she had a genetic kidney disorder.
"She just kind of went with the flow, and she did anything and everything that anybody asked of her, if not more. We thought, you know what, yeah, she really deserves to be able to have her wish," said Stephanie's mother Janice Hogan.
Her family experienced a miracle when Stephanie's cousin offered her kidney to treat the condition.
"I feel great. There's a major difference," said Stephanie.
From what began as an early childhood dream, peaked by interest in Disney movies like Balto, Snow Dogs and Eight below, Stephanie always wanted to see the Iditarod up close.
"It's a very unique wish, but ever since Stephanie was a little kid, she has always told me, mom, some day i'm going to Alaska, and i'm going to be in the Iditarod," said Stephanie's mother Janice.
Riding along with Alaska-born musher Mike Williams Jr., the two shared the dream of the Iditarod. Williams was inspired after training his father's dogs since he was a child.
In Stephanie's case, she always had the dream in her heart. Although now she had a chance to share it with her family.
"It's very emotional for me because of all the things that we have gone through. I mean, there's not very many people in this world that get their wish to come true," said Stephanie's mother Janice.
In a family that has grown to go through experiences together, the Hogan family made a tighter bond seeing Stephanie back at her best.
"For Make-A-Wish to just donate their time.. they give so much for a young child to be able to have what they really want in life. It's an amazing thing," said Stephanie's mother Janice.
As they say, a family that plays together stays together.
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