Community supports Zionsville student’s wish to visit Hawaii after battling cancer 

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CIZ HEALTH 0327 Camdens Wish 1
The Cooper family is looking forward to visiting Hawaii. Back, from left, Jason, Kaitlyn, Camden and Makayla and Holly. Front, Colton Cooper. (Submitted photo)

By Desiree Williams

With less than $3,000 left to fundraise, Camden Cooper is close to receiving a dream come true from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Camden battled Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2015 from March until July, when he went into remission after going through chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant. He completed seventh and eighth grade through homebound education and returned to school as a freshman at Zionsville Community High School.

CIZ HEALTH 0327 Camdens Wish 2
Naglich

“During my treatment, everything was pretty slow and I didn’t do a whole lot, but for the past two years or so I’ve been back playing sports, going to school and seeing my friends,” he said. “I would say everything feels normal now, and I am back to where I was before, but now I’m getting even stronger.”

When Camden was well enough, his family applied with Make-A-Wish and received approval last year. Camden said he chose Hawaii so that he can swim with dolphins, hike around the islands and enjoy the environment with his family.

“The part that as a mom I’m looking forward to the most is all of our family just being together and having fun and celebrating that we made it,” said Camden’s mother, Holly. “We made it. We’re good. It’s just such a special thing.”

The Cooper family is working with Kristie Naglich to grant the Wish. As an honoree of the Women Inspiring Strength and Hope initiative (W.I.S.H.) in Indiana, Naglich committed to raising all $8,000.

Naglich previously worked with Carmel High School student Bella Simons, who has had brain surgery and suffered strokes, to grant her Wish to go to Hawaii. Simons is now partnering with Naglich to fundraise for Camden. Bella and her mother, Tasha, set their own goal of contributing $2,000.

“We treasure the memories (of our Wish trip), and that has helped us with (Bella’s) subsequent strokes and major brain surgery,” Tasha said. “It’s been meaningful, encouraging and an honor and blessing to help another student like Bella go to Hawaii.”

To donate, visit crowdrise.com/wish-indiana-2018/fundraiser/kristienaglich.


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