Make-A-Wish® Illinois Chapter

The Marcucci Family

When 16-year-old Molly was diagnosed with cancer, it not only changed her life, but the lives of everyone in her tight-knit family. As Molly went through treatment, her father learned that she would be eligible to have a wish granted, and he was not happy.

"At the time, I thought Make-A-Wish was only for terminal kids, and I was angry because

From left to right: Tom Marcucci, Debbie Purcell, Mimi Marcucci, Peter Bouchard

our Molly was not terminal," Tom Marcucci

said. "Also, we felt that we could give our children anything they wanted, so I didn't think we really needed Make-A-Wish anyway."

Wish Child Molly Marcucci several years after her wish at a Make-A-Wish Event.

Make-A-Wish volunteers were able to talk through Marcucci's concerns by explaining that the Foundation was for children with life-threatening medical conditions and, in fact, many wish children were able to overcome or live with their disease. Additionally, the wish experience was a chance for Molly to take back some control over her life by deciding what she really wanted, not what someone wanted for her.

Everything changed when Molly's wish to attend Fashion Week in New York was granted. With an interest in fashion design as a career, Molly knew she wanted to take this opportunity to have a glimpse into her future. During her wish she attended couture fashion shows and met some of the industry's top designers.

 

Molly's sister Flavia Marcucci Malloy and her husband Dennis Malloy ran the 2010 Chicago Marathon in support of Make-A-Wish.

"The wish absolutely changed my entire family and was a turning point signaling the end of dealing with cancer," Molly said a dozen years after her wish was granted. "Every child should have the beautiful opportunity for hope when they need it. I would to anything to help Make-A-Wish and the kids."

Molly and her father Tom spoke to nearly 1,000 guests at Wish Ball in 2004, telling the audience how Make-A-Wish came into their lives at just the right time with a compassion they will never forget.

Every member of the family is still involved in helping the Foundation in some way even today. Molly, her sisters and her parents continue to attend the annual Wish Ball fundraiser. Tom Marcucci was elected to the Board of Directors in 2007. Molly's sisters are volunteer wish granters and one even runs the Chicago Marathon on behalf of the Foundation. Molly, too, remains involved more than a decade after her wish offering to speak to groups on behalf of the Foundation.

Because of the Marcucci family and generous wish families like them, children in Illinois will continue to share the power of a wish^® when they need it most.