Sue Rezin
In 1988 Sue Rezin was pregnant with her first child and was looking for something to do while her husband was focused on completing his medical residency. She read an article about the Make-A-Wish Foundation needing volunteers and immediately got involved, and has been granting wishes ever since.
Nearly two decades later, Sue has granted almost 150 wishes to special children in Illinois. She and her husband, Keith, live in Morris where they are raising four children. Sue has long been active in public service, serving on the boards of many local charities.
In January, Sue was sworn in as State Senator, serving the 38th District which includes Grundy and Putnam counties and parts of LaSalle, Bureau, Will, Iroquois, Livingston and Kankakee counties. Despite the long hours of a public servant, she has no plans to put her wish granting on hold.
"Granting wishes helps me to put my priorities in order," Rezin said. "It amazes me, when I meet the wish children and their families, to see the strength and the appreciation and impact when their child's wish is granted."
She recalls many special wishes, but two in particular have a special place in her heart. She met a 12-year-old wish child early in her work with Make-A-Wish who was struggling with his illness. She was able to help grant his wish for a computer and, in the process, discovered that their families were very similar. She remains close to that family even today. She also remembers planning a wish for a girl who wanted a horse, and the immense support and enthusiasm from the community for that wish.
"It was such a wonderful experience and the girl's classmates at school were involved in a part held at the stable for the horse. I still keep the photos on my desk," Rezin said.
"After 22 years, I still enjoy my volunteer work, so much so that many people think Make-A-Wish is my full-time job!" Rezin says with a laugh. "I enjoy the work and meeting the families, and will continue to do it as long as I can."
Read more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois 25th Anniversary
Many doctors tell us that a wish is powerful medicine. The doctors provide the medicine and we provide the magic!
