NATCHEZ &045; &uot;When you wish upon a starŠ&uot;

Natchez teenager Gavin Galmore’s wish is coming true, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He will be going to, where else, Disney World.

Galmore gathered with friends and family at the Pizza Hut on Seargent S. Prentiss Drive for a party to celebrate his much-anticipated trip next week.

Pizza Hut donated the pizzas &045; four of them &045; drinks and Galmore’s favorite, cinnamon sticks.

Alongside the basketball plates and Make-A-Wish balloons were cupcakes with Finding Nemo characters on them, commemorating the Disney trip.

Make-A-Wish volunteer Lacy West presented Galmore with his itinerary, expense money and special gifts for his trip. His trip and gifts are sponsored by the Masons of Mississippi.

Among the gifts the Masons gave Galmore for the plane ride, were crossword puzzles, candy and a deck of cards, and Galmore received a box full of his favorite candy &045; Snickers.

Make-A-Wish makes many children’s dreams come true. The group grants wishes to children like Galmore with terminal illnesses.

Galmore suffers from sickle-cell anemia, a red blood cell disorder.

He is treated at Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson twice a month to get blood transfusions. He has been going to the hospital twice a month since he was eight years old. However, Galmore’s mom, Mary, said he has been going to the clinic since he was six weeks old.

Galmore has been to Disney World before but has not &uot;finished the park yet.&uot; This time, he gets seven days and six nights to take it all in. And what does he want to do first at Disney World? &uot;I want to see Goofy,&uot; Galmore said. &uot;(And) I want to ride the Tower of Terror.&uot;

Galmore’s mom, two sisters &045; Sharon and Sonya &045; and his godbrother, Dankease Galmore, will make the trip with Galmore, on his first plane ride, which he is only a little worried about.

Mary Galmore said they found out about Make-A-Wish through other children at the clinic. Mary Galmore said she talked to the social worker and applied in May, and the group will leave July 25 for their trip.

Galmore is volunteer West’s first wish, although the drafter from Smithdale has been a volunteer for two years.

West said she became involved with Make-A-Wish because she was looking for some way to help children.

She considers her work, especially with Galmore, rewarding.

&uot;Seeing Gavin smile is worth it,&uot; West said.

So as the Pinocchio song ends, so does Galmore’s day.

&uot;Š.Your dreams come true.&uot;