The O'Malley Family's Christmas Wish

Dear KDWB,

My oldest daughter, Reese, is a 7th grader at Pioneer Ridge Middle School in Chaska. The school does a great job of sending out newsletters to parents, which is how I learned about Hailey (who is an 8th grader at Pioneer Ridge), her mom Sandy, and younger brother Jacob. Hailey was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor just this past summer. My heart absolutely broke for this family. But, that was not the end of their story.

I learned that like me, Sandy is a single mom and sole breadwinner. However, I also learned that Sandy has been battling cancer herself since 2014, including undergoing a double mastectomy. This summer, as Sandy was preparing to have additional lymph nodes removed, Hailey, her 8th grader, began having severe headaches. After multiple doctor visits, they learned that not only did Sandy, the mom, have cancer, but Hailey, the 8th grader, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Both Sandy and Hailey have had surgeries in the last few months, and daily trips to the hospital for chemo, radiation, and physical therapy are the norm.

I cannot imagine the immense stress and worry that this family lives with, day in and day out. Sandy’s health complications have left her currently unable to work, and in addition to healing from her most recent surgery, she’s been providing around the clock care for Hailey.

I learned that the family’s sole ask for help this holiday season was gas cards, as the daily commute for treatments to and from the hospital have been a massive expense. Clearly, gas cards are an important and necessary need for this family. However, everyone should be able to experience a little magic during the holiday season. That’s when the idea of submitting this family to KDWB’s Christmas Wish came to mind. So, I’m saying a little prayer, and sending in this wish, hoping that this family that I’ve never even met may be able to have a little extra cheer thanks to KDWB this holiday season.

We loved this Wish for the O'Malley family!

For the Kirsch family we gave a $800 Coborns Delivers Gift Card, two $101 SuperAmerica Gift Cards, $500 Target gift card from the Prouty Family, $100 Masu Sushi & Robata gift card, $50 Minnesota Zoo gift card, 25 rounds of mini golf at Glow in One Mini Golf, 5 Red Savoy's pizzas, PetChatz HD, a Nintendo Switch with games and board games.

For Sandy, $100 Massage Retreat & Spa gift card, robe, purse, Keurig + Kcups, coffee mugs, bath and body products and candles. For Hailey, Mario Odyssey Nintendo Switch game, iPad with accessories, robe, blanket and sled. And Finally for Jacob, Zelda Nintendo Switch game, Beats Headphones, blanket, longboard, slept and Nerf gun.

We couldn't do KDWB's Christmas Wish without your donations. Special thanks to Venture Bank. Plus, part of the donations will automatically go to YouthLink to help homeless youth in the Twin Cities. 

LISTEN: Dave Ryan calls to surprise the O'Malley Family with a KDWB Christmas Wish