Make-A-Wish® Utah has received a $31,000 charitable donation from VFI Corporate Finance to grant life-changing wishes for local children with critical illnesses. The large contribution coincided with the granting of a wish to Stetson Bowen, a four-year-old Utah boy diagnosed with leukemia.

The generous donation from VFI, its employees, friends and colleagues, not only helped make Stetson’s wish to visit his favorite theme parks in Florida a reality, but also will help grant the wishes of six other children like Stetson who have been diagnosed with a critical illness. As a non-profit receiving no government funding, Make-A-Wish® relies on the support from corporate sponsors and individual donors to make wish granting possible.

Stetson was diagnosed with leukemia in 2015 and due to his medical condition, underwent a series of treatments including surgery, chemotherapy and medications. During his long hospital visits, Stetson took inspiration from hero figures in his favorite movies. Currently, Stetson’s cancer is in remission, but due to a rare genetic disorder, his chances of the cancer reoccurring are elevated.

"We are extremely grateful for the support from generous donors like VFI Corporate Finance, who help bring the life-changing power of a wish to families in need,” said Daniel Dudley, Director of Development, Make-A-Wish® Utah. “This gift impacts the lives of not only Stetson and his family, but will also assist additional Utah children to experience the hope, strength, and joy of having a wish come true.”

“There is nothing more gratifying than making a wish come true for a young child,” said Greg Adondakis, CEO of VFI Corporate Finance. “We are in awe of the work that Make-A-Wish® and their amazing organization does and will always welcome the opportunity to be a part of its efforts.”