PHOTOS: Local 6-year-old living with leukemia granted wish to visit Puerto Rico

The Make-A-Wish Foundation surprised little Callen with the news at a red carpet event at Macy’s in Short Pump last Friday.

December 15, 2015; 11:29 AM • by Trevor Dickerson

The Make-A-Wish Foundation made a dream come true for a local boy living with leukemia. 6-year-old Callen wanted nothing more than to go zip-lining and surfing in Puerto Rico. He was received by family, friends, local mascots, and members of the public at a red carpet event at the Macy’s at Short Pump Town Center.

Callen leaves for his wish trip on January 13th. Included in the photos, you’ll see volunteers holding up a picture Callen drew when he first met with Make-A-Wish of what he thought his wish would look like. In his drawing, he included surfing, zip-lining and making a sandcastle, which are all activities he will get to partake in on his trip.

Moody Middle School and several local Girl Scout troops held letter writing campaigns to raise funds for the trip, and together they dropped off more than 13,500 letters (Moody Middle brought 11,412 and the Girl Scouts brought 2,101). Through December 24th, Macy’s will donate $1 for each letter received in the store’s ‘Believe Mailbox’ or online.