A Dream Come True

At first glance, Karina Valverde looks like any 11-year-old girl — alert, tough, smiling and with many plans.
    However, Karina has lived many intense experiences that have made her stronger and taught her to appreciate life.
    Karina, a Hispanic girl born in Dodge City, has received not one, but two heart transplants. The doctors in charge of Karina's medical treatment informed the Valverde family that no other patient in Dodge has had two heart transplants.
    "Shortly after birth, Karina's health problems began, and at her 11 months of age, she received her first heart transplant," said Norma Valverde, Karina's mother.
    For the next nine years, Karina lived a normal and healthy life. Then in March 2009, her system rejected the heart, and doctors decided a second transplant was the only option.
    "Karina was very sick, and due to the seriousness, her name was placed on the waiting list for patients needing a heart transplant," Norma said. "Two weeks later, Karina's specialists at the hospital informed us, the family, that they had a heart for Karina's transplant."
    Those two weeks were like an eternity to the Valverde family. But on July 20, 2010, a new heart saved the little girl's life.
    "For seven months, we lived in Denver," Norma said. "Karina was hospitalized for four of those seven months at the Children's Hospital, where she received pre-operative treatment, the transplant and post-operative therapy. The Ronald McDonald House provided us free accommodation during the whole process."

Making a wish
    During Karina’s stay in Denver, her case coordinator at the Children’s Hospital spoke to Norma about the nonprofit Make-A-Wish Foundation, offering her the organization's phone number and encouraging her to communicate with the Wichita chapter.
    The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. The goal is to enrich their experience with hope, strength and joy.
    "Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas grants the favorite wish for children 2 and a half to 18 years old suffering from a disease that threatens their life, and this month the organization celebrated their 25 years in Kansas," said Friyana Shah, a senior at Dodge City High School who coordinated a recent interview with the Valverde family and the Daily Globe.
    Months after the transplant, Karina's mother decided to contact the foundation, but without many expectations.
    "The process to agree to fulfill Karina's wish was fast," Norma said. "Once we met (with two local wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas), we filled out the request, and shortly afterwards we were informed that Karina qualified."
    Children's most common wishes include visiting the Disney parks, going on a shopping spree or meeting a celebrity. But Karina's particular desire surprised wish granters Feeruza Shah and Carol Ann Sewell.
    "Karina's wish is quite unusual," said Friyana Shah, who helps her mother, Feeruza Shah, one of the volunteers from the organization's Wichita chapter.
    Karina asked to visit the Statue of Liberty in New York. And last March, she spent five days in New York City accompanied by her family — her mother, Norma; her father, Hugo Valverde; her brother, 16-year-old Victor Valverde; and her sister Noemy Valverde, 13.
    Since the first grade, Karina had dreamed about visiting the Statue of Liberty.
    "When I learned in school about the Statue of Liberty, the story caught my attention, and I thought that someday I would travel to New York to see the Statue of Liberty," she said.

A dream come true
    Five years later, Karina could not believe her eyes.
    Despite the cold weather, the family boarded the ferry that would take them to Liberty Island in the New York harbor, where the monument is located.
    The symbol of friendship between two nations, America and France, is one of the most important monuments in New York and is visited by thousands of tourists daily.
    "I was amazed about how big the statue is. And after more than 300 steps up to the spiral staircase — the elevator was not working that day — we reached the crown of the statue. I'll never forget that experience," Karina said enthusiastically.
    During the trip, the Valverde family took the opportunity to visit other tourist attractions in New York City.
    "It was an incredible trip that took me by surprise," Norma said.
    Karina, who wants to become a physician when she grows up, took advantage of their time visiting the Big Apple's landmarks and learning about the diverse cultures that characterize the city.
    "I loved Times Square, especially at night. Also Chinatown, the Museum of Natural History, the Empire State Building and the shops," said Karina, recalling some of the places she visited.
    The Valverde family wanted to thank everyone who made it possible for Karina's dream to become reality.
    "There are no words to express my gratitude to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas. This trip has not only changed the life of my daughter Karina, but also the life of the whole family," Norma said.
    For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas, call (316) 838-WISH (9474) or (800) 566-WISH (9474) for Kansas only.