INDIANAPOLIS — Eighty miles across Indiana, from West Lafayette to Danville.
That’s the trek John Carreone made on his bicycle Thursday to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to critically ill kids, like John’s daughter Celina, who was born with a nervous system disorder.
“The ride was in honor of Celina,” John said, starting to cry as he touched his daughter’s ponytail as she sat in a cart behind his bike. "Our wish, kiddo."
Make-a-Wish sent Celina and her family to Disney World when Celina was 12.
“That week changed our family,” John said.
It's why the $30,000 raised on his ride will go to make wishes come true for other kids, like Avon teen Jack Moon. The 14-year-old is in remission after undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of cancer that doctors diagnosed in August 2019.
“I just took it day-by-day, not thinking about anything else,” Jack said of his treatment.
The only thing Jack was thinking about Thursday was the shopping spree Make-a-Wish granted him at a Danville Verizon store, where John ended his bike ride.
“I thought I was going to come in to celebrate and I’m just shocked,” said Jack of the celebration and gifts he received, including a new iPhone.
“All the support we’ve had this whole time has been amazing and Make A Wish, they go above and beyond,” said Jack’s mom, Amanda Bettis.
For John Carrreone, that’s what’s most important. He knows how it felt for Celina and his family to be surrounded by so much love and support, and he’s happy to pay it forward.
“It doesn’t matter what the wish is, it’s the experience itself that’s important,” he said.