 Hello there, I am Jan Reardon and I am representing the Jennifer Reardon Foundation. Jennifer is my sister-in-law and I am honored to be on the board of the Jennifer Reardon Foundation with a group of such amazing individuals. My brother is the president of the board, formed the foundation, and has done just an amazing job spreading kindness throughout the world actually. It goes so far beyond Albuquerque, but it's Jen's mantra to be kind, loving, caring, and sharing, and that's what we are all committed to doing, and everybody on the board has just played such an integral role of having that happen, and it's been quite a journey, obviously not one that we wanted to go on, but we are making the most of the situation, and I'm very pleased to say that we've made a lot of progress with great people along the way. And today I have the absolute honor of introducing you to Jamie Heath, who is with, we'll turn it over to her in one second, but Jamie is with the Make-A-Wish Foundation here in, organization here in Vermont, and I'm anxious to find out how that really folds in because I know my brother has done quite a bit with Make-A-Wish out in Albuquerque, so it's wonderful to bring Vermont into this and talk with Jamie here in a second about all the wonderful things as we know that Make-A-Wish does for so many people, families, and children throughout the world, so let me turn this over to Jamie. Of course. Thank you so much for being here, Jamie, and if you could just let us know what your role is at Make-A-Wish, and then from there we'll just go into a few different questions that I have for you and we'll just elaborate on all the wonderful things that your organization does. Of course, so I am the Wish and Communications Manager at Make-A-Wish, Vermont. That means that I help with planning wishes, all the back-end stuff. Which is a lot, I'm sure. It is so much. When you see the commercials and you see those experiences, that these families, the whole family obviously, is what it's all about, and that they're together and with the joy that is in their eyes that they probably have not seen in one another's eyes for a long time, and here they are just living the dream truly. So yes, the fact that you're in that role is obviously something that must just warm your heart on a daily basis. Very true, very true. And I'm also the Communications Manager, so I do a little bit of social media, anything communications related that needs to be done, and I also head up the Wish Ambassador program, because I'm a Wish Ambassador myself. Which I really want to talk with you about that. What does it mean to be the Wish Ambassador program? And you head that up, so what is that program all about? So it's typically after the wish is granted, the wish doesn't end after the wish is granted. You're always part of the Make-A-Wish family, and we try to, so Wish Ambassadors go to events, and either they speak about their wish and how it changed them, or they just show up and be there for Make-A-Wish, and it's really, it's a lot of fun. Oh, I can imagine, I can imagine. So how old are the, what is the range of children that you serve with their families to go and have these wishes granted? Of course, so the range is two and a half to 18 years old. Wonderful, that is a nice broad range. So I guess I have so many different questions, but what would you say comes to mind as far as one or two of the most exciting and heartwarming wishes that you've been a part of? It's probably, or just even maybe... I've seen or heard about. So our 900th wish was I wish to be a pilot. Oh. Yeah, he... So how old was he? I think he was 16. Wonderful. Dylan LeBlanc, and he, beta technologies... Yes, oh, very, yes, love having beta technologies here in our community. Right? What a fabulous business that is. Love it. They helped out so much with the wish, and they gave him flight lessons, and it was just so much fun. So given your position, when you hear say Dylan wants to be a pilot, are you the person that goes ahead and makes those arrangements, and then you, as you said, the back end, have taken care of all those moving parts? Yes, and there are a lot. Especially when you want to be a pilot. I mean, I'm sure there's a lot to be dealing with there. Talking to vendors, trying to get donations from vendors. Right, and so that's another great topic. I'm glad you brought that up as far as the donation. So how does that process go? So we are typically run by donations. Right. So someone can write a check or donate somehow, but also in-kind donations are a very big part. So if someone can't give money or... They'll provide that service. Yes, they'll provide a service for free or discounted rate. Right. So beta technologies, as an example, they would just really, as you say, in-kind say, okay, well we can do this much, and then you kind of fill in the rest with donations. Exactly. And what is, we might as well get to that now because it's later on in my questions here, but what would be the best way for people to be able to make a donation? And do they know, for instance, could you say, okay, I know Dylan. I want to make sure he gets to be a pilot. This is what I want to give to you. So can it be that specific? It can be that specific. Usually when people donate, they either write a check or they go to vermont.wish.org, a website to donate. There's a donate link. Perfect right there, okay. Yeah. And then they can make it in memory or in honor of someone. Oh, wonderful. Yeah. So can you tell us a little bit about your story, how you are a wish alum? Of course, of course. So I had two strokes, one when I was seven and then one when I was 12. I have something called an arteriovenous malformation in my brain. It's a tangle of blood vessels. And was that known prior to the stroke? After the second one, we found out. Oh, so you didn't know after the first one? Right. So prior to that stroke, you didn't know. Your parents did not know. I was a normal person. Nothing was different. And then all of a sudden the stroke and then they realized obviously what that was. So the AVM caused an aneurysm for the, when I was seven. And then when I was 12, my AVM blood. I recovered fully after six weeks after the first bleed. The miracle that is. Yeah. But then the second bleed was, since I had like lasting brain damage. Sure. My body was not as forgiving. So I still live with right side weakness 10 years later. But we're shrinking the AVM with proton or with radiation. And it cross our fingers that it'll be gone. Absolutely. Isn't that wonderful though? I mean just the fact that you know with these treatments that you just keep getting better and better. Yes. And I mean you are, we can move on to this too because you've written a book. It's not like it's really holding you back at all. So let's talk about that. And thank you for my copy. I can't wait to pass that along. But I, and read that later on today. So thank you. But tell us a little bit about that journey as far as. Sure. So I wished to go to Hawaii to swim with sea turtles in 2015. This came about because my little turtle Bob inspired my wish. When I was 10 years old, I found a little turtle of my own in the grass. And I was so excited that I had finally found my own turtle because when I was in preschool, my love started in preschool. Of turtles? Of turtles. Yes. Because my friend always found them out at playtime and I could never find my own. So Bob was discovered here in Vermont. You found Bob. Were you out on the playground? I was at one of my soccer games. You must have gone crazy. I was. I was so excited that I found my own. I was like, what's going on here? But finally, right? I convinced my dad to let me bring him home. So I had him for about nine months. He did pass away. I think he had some kind of deformity. He never opened his mouth. How beautiful that you found him. Yeah, he inspired my wish to swim with the sea turtles. And when I went on my wish, oh my goodness. So your whole family? Yep, my mom, my dad, my brother and I went to Hawaii. We didn't just swim with sea turtles. We also went to Pearl Harbor. We went ziplining. Oh, so how long were you there? We were there for, I believe, eight days. Oh, that's beautiful. So that was obviously your first interaction with Make-A-Wish. Yes. I mean, did you even know it existed back then? I was reading The Fault in Our Stars, which encompasses Make-A-Wish. Right. And I was like, why haven't I ever gotten a wish? I feel like my condition, Right, at that young age, absolutely. And we pursued that. Yeah. And that is the process. So if somebody has an incident like that that happens within their family or knows of somebody, they're able to just contact Make-A-Wish and then the wheels are in motion. Yes. So on the website, vermont.wish.org, there is a place to refer a child. Oh, beautiful. So then you come back from Hawaii and what was life like at that point? Were you starting to really recover? Like when you were in Hawaii, you had already had one stroke? I had to have two strokes. You had already had the two strokes. Yeah. So they were fairly close together? Yeah. Yeah. They were five years apart. Oh, boy. And getting back from Hawaii, it was a transition because I was... Did you want to stay in Hawaii? Yes. I had just been in paradise. Are you kidding? And then I had to get back to normal. You're like, wait a minute here. We're moving. Yeah. And it was really, especially leading up to Hawaii, it was hard. I went through a lot of depression. Absolutely. I mean, your personality now, I just can't even imagine, I mean, what a strong person you are and to be so full of life and share that with others is the gift beyond anything that you could do. Thank you very much. The book is a bonus. That's for sure. Definitely. Just what a gift you are. Thank you. Yes. And I'm sure when other families and children get to speak with you and the fact that you've had that experience, must put them at ease and it must feel so comfortable because there has to be as good as, you know, all of those experiences are. There's still a lot of anxiety and a lot of unknown and uncertainty. Yeah. Yeah. Definitely. I think it really does. Like, I think my story at least gives people hope. Absolutely. And that's what this does. Really. As I said, I can't wait. I wish I would have read that before, but I'm glad that I know about it now. And then as far as the book goes, is that something that people can purchase through Make-A-Wish or where do you have that book for sale? So anybody can email me with a request for a copy. Okay. And what is your email, Jamie, please? J-E-A-T-H at vermont.wish.org. Perfect. Okay. Good to know. Yeah. Send people your way. Perfect. Okay. I'm going to be in, hopefully, it wasn't the middle of winter, but here you are in Vermont. This is April. And it was still cold, of course. So how old were you then when you went? I was 14 years old. Beautiful. And how old was your brother? My brother was 17. Okay. So he was a few years older. Yep. Yep. But we all had a glass. Oh, I can't imagine. My dad and my brother, especially like the zip lining. It was so gorgeous. I can speak to that. A few times. I don't know if I'll go again, but it is definitely on. I'm sure the views from that zip line must have been breathtaking. It was. It was. And the jungle. Right. Oh, absolutely. Yeah. So then you come back and what was life like for you then? I mean, at that point, you're still getting the treatments. And obviously, you were then. Yeah. So the treatments, actually, they, it's a long process. So you go down, you get zapped, as so to speak. Locally? I went down to Mass, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. And how often would you have to go there? I have gotten three doses of radiation. So only, only three times. Right. But it must be so intense. It was intense. Yes. It's a, it's a very, very emotional process. Oh, I can imagine. Not just, it doesn't hurt me, but just like, the whole experience. Remembering. Right. Really affects me. Of course. Right. Yeah. And so after the treatments though, are you pretty much able to just get right back into your routine? Yeah. Yeah, I was back at work the next day, actually, for my last treatment. Yeah. Unbelievable. Yeah. And so now, what are your treatments like? When would you have another one? So the way that the radiation works, it takes about three to five years for the process to shrink the ABM. So I am going to be monitored every year with an MRI. That's down in mass as well. Or can they do things locally for you? They can do the MRI up here, which is very helpful. That is helpful. Yes. Because the drive is not nice. Exactly. And like you talk about the emotional side of it, that just kind of prolongs that feeling of uncertainty and the fear factor and everything. Yeah. Exactly. I'm monitored every year. They monitor how it's shrinking. And hopefully... That phrase, right? Yeah. Just to be able to say that is... It will be gone. Oh, boy, that just gives me chills. Yeah. Beautiful story. And the fact that you're able to share that with people in your organization and outside of your organization as well, too. I don't think that I could have done any other profession as well. No. I can't imagine. Exactly. What would have thought back when you were seven years old that your destination is at this fabulous Make-A-Wish organization and the critical role that you play for that organization? True. Very true. And I know we've talked a little bit, but just to share with people listening, so how long have you actually been with Make-A-Wish? I have been with Make-A-Wish since April of 2022, but I had been volunteering and doing events, speaking at events since my wish was granted, or before my wish was granted in 2015. That's beautiful. And in your current capacity, do you get to partake in any of the experiences or the adventures that... Oh, my goodness. I live vicariously through those kids. I tell you that. I'm sure. Some occasions we can help with volunteering, but unfortunately we're not allowed to do anything. Just go along for the ride. But I'm sure obviously there's so much work and I'm not making light of how much goes into that, but along the way and when it's underway and you see the pictures, I'm sure it just talk about making it all worthwhile. Oh, yeah. Just to be able to see the benefits of what that's doing for that family is talk about priceless. My favorite part of the job is seeing a child's face and play back. Exactly. I know the commercials are just... What's nice about the commercials is, yes, it's sad and overall, but you feel good when you watch that because you have so much hope. And you just know all... I mean, talk about medicine and how far things have come. And as you go along too, I mean, you're not going to be having to have these treatments that much longer, but still just the fact that you're at this point that you're not in a hospital every day and having to deal with that on a regular basis is something that's taken care of over time. What we do is the medicine that heals the heart. Oh, there you go. Exactly. Hence the name of the book. It Wishes Our Medicine. Isn't that just so true of life though? Very true. I mean, it's obviously very serious compared to some other things, but the concept itself is what life is all about. If you don't have that hope, you're never going to feel any better than you do. So how does the local chapter here in Vermont collaborate and coordinate different things with the national organization? So our umbrella organization is called Make-A-Wish America, and we have 58 chapters all across the country. Beautiful. Some chapters are like a state, like Make-A-Wish Vermont, but other chapters are encompassing part of the state, like Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. Right, just the size of the state. Right, and the size of the population and where they can reach. But we all work under guidelines given to us by Make-A-Wish America, so unfortunately we can't do every single thing that sometimes kids ask, like we can't grant a wish for a car, but we can grant a wish that a car can be made over. We can't grant... Oh, beautiful. Right, you can modify that wish and still have it be significant and very substantial. Exactly, exactly. We can't grant an in-ground pool, but we can grant an above-ground pool. There are some things we can't. Which is, you know, huge in itself, still doesn't have a pool in your backyard. There's water in it who cares, right? Yeah, right. That's fabulous. Yeah, yeah. So how about... There was just something else I wanted to, as you were saying that I wanted to ask you about, but how has your role changed at all at Make-A-Wish since you began? Yeah. So one, I guess, is it different than you expected? And number two is how is it evolving? Like just given life and all the different things that have changed, you have the pandemic and all the different things that moving parts in our world, how has your position changed over time? Yeah, so I started at Make-A-Wish as the operations manager. So I was taking in donations, sending out checks that needed to be paid to vendors. I was doing the very, very back-end. Yes. But I have since transitioned. Yeah, you need to be front and center. I can see why. I really like it very much. And how long have you been in that role? About a month or so. Congratulations. I've always done a little bit with wishes. Yes, we have such a small office. There's a lot of overlap. Exactly. Exactly. A lot of hands in different pots. Right. So how many on staff? There are six in Make-A-Wish Vermont now. Fabulous. So we just hired a new admin assistant who took on my previous role at the beginning of November. Right. And here we have Sparky, as you know, from Vermont Teddy Bear that they have been so gracious in helping us really spread the word through Sparky and Sparky has a friend, Sunny, a purple bear. And together they have just really made a mark in really spreading kindness and being kind, loving, caring, and sharing, which is Jen's mantra. So you're in the building with them. Yes. They gave us a space atop the Vermont Teddy Bear factory. I saw the sign because I didn't even realize that. And then I saw the logo there. And I was so pleased because what a nice collaboration that is. It really is. Such like-minded philosophies and just the goodness in both organizations. Exactly. We want to just share a bunch of kindness. So where were you before then, located? We were on Pine Street in Burlington. So you're not too far away from where you were but a great location. I think that it definitely makes the difference. We're able to, when we book a wish meeting, we call it a wish discovery meeting. What a great place to gather. Yeah, exactly. It's fun. We send them on a teddy bear tour. We set them up with all these stuff. It's a great time. There was something last night that was on the news just about an organization at a hospital for children. And they had the whole floor that was converted over to Christmas trees with different themes. And the children could go to that floor and they could pick out their Christmas tree for their room. It was awesome. It was on the news last night. And it made me think of Make-A-Wish just as far as, you know, it was that. It was like a mini grand-to-wish, but this one little guy wanted Hot Wheels and there was a Hot Wheels tree in his room the next day. So that was beautiful. That's so cute. And I just remembered what I wanted to ask you about when I was reading about you yesterday. I saw that you are also affiliated with the Heart Association. Yes. So what is, I mean, do you ever sleep? No, I do not. I have a really good question. Right. So I am affiliated with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Yes. Combined, right? It used to be on the board of the Heart Association. Nice. When they were located in Williston. Even though my strokes are called our hemorrhagic strokes, even though there are different types of strokes, my hemorrhagic strokes can still encompass. And the symptoms that I had when I experienced my stroke is the same thing that you'll experience if you have an ischemic stroke. So what is the main difference? Is it in the treatment? I think that it is in the area that the bleed comes from. Oh, okay. I think. Right. I think. I believe, I mean, a hemorrhagic stroke, my mind came from my head. Yes. So. And that's just not always the case with, you know, when you have a stroke, obviously. And then, so is it still time sensitive? Like, when you had your stroke to have treatment, immediately is there medication that you take right away that can help get rid of some of those side effects and the outcomes? There are no, unfortunately, no medications that can make me better as of now. But it was adamant that I get the radiation right after my first stroke at least. Right. So it wasn't. It stopped the bleeding. Exactly. The radiation aside, it wasn't something that you need, like say, and I don't know as much as I should about this, but say, you know, if an adult has a stroke, if they are treated within a certain period of time, they get a medication and that can really help as far as some of the symptoms that they'll have. There isn't anything like that for what you had though. Nothing was done right there. So. When that happened, how long before you had your first radiation treatment? Was it pretty soon after? I think it was. I think. And were you here then or were you right in Massachusetts right from the start? You had to go right down there. Yeah. Oh, how frightening that must have been for all of you. It was scary. Yes. But the big part was the rehab, learning how to walk again and how to read again and how to just be a normal person again. What a miracle. Yeah. So now, do you ever go up to the hospital and visit with children or do they, you typically are on the receiving end of that. You don't necessarily have to go and look for different children that you could offer this to. It's people coming to you. Correct. It's people coming to us. Usually the physicians of a child will refer them if they haven't been referred already by someone of the family or something. So what are you working on right now? Like how many wishes are going on? I'm sure it varies throughout the year, but like right now. Yeah. How many wishes are you in the midst of? I think I have six wishes so far, but that's just because I'm like, I'm just starting out and my wishes are all Hawaii wishes. Obviously. Oh, there you go. That's what they wanted to start with. Right. And how perfect is that, not only that you are an alum, but that you actually were there. I know. I know what to do. You couldn't hire somebody and have a better scenario like that's beautiful. Right. And to be able to I'm sure show pictures and talk about all those different experiences. Not that they're not excited enough about going, but then that is talk about the icing on the cake. Right. Yeah, I really love. I have a scrapbook of all of my whole trip in chronological order that I show all the wish kids that think they're going to go to Hawaii think they want to wish to go to Hawaii. Oh, beautiful. That just kind of seals the deal for them. How lucky are we here in Vermont to have you, Jamie, seriously? Yeah. We only have a few more minutes, but I wanted to. So with the six that you're working on right now for Hawaii, what are the timelines here? Do you have children that are in their families that are getting ready to go fairly soon? Yeah, actually, we have one that is going in January. Oh, fabulous. And a lot of the, some of the wishes had to be pushed back because of the fires in Maui and just to give them a little bit of time to catch up and recover. Yeah. So most of our wishes are being scheduled for like June and after, which gives us a little bit of breathing room. Exactly. Right. And I'm sure it just enhances the experience, too. It gives you a chance to just have that many more details in place. Yeah. So when you're making these arrangements and you're talking to people in Hawaii, they're at places where you've been, probably, right? Yeah. Yeah. A lot of times they stay at the Sheridan Waikiki, which is where I stayed. It was where you were. Right. Which is so much fun. I know, I know. Just what a difference that makes. Yeah, it really does. Again, from that level of comfort. It does. So is there anybody in Hawaii that you're still in contact with from when you had been there? Like, do they still know like who you are and what you're up to? I usually, if I'm talking to the Hawaii chapter, I'll say, hey, my wish was to go to Hawaii. Fabulous. But I don't think that anybody that like, staff-wise, granted my wish is still part of that. Still there, yeah. Which I guess is good. Anyway, you know, here you are. Many years later. Yeah. Yeah, that's beautiful. Yeah. And then what type of follow-up, so they go, you know, in this case to Hawaii, when they come back, what are next steps from there? Are they pretty well set? They have their one wish and that's granted. Do you still have contact with people along the way? Well, they get involved maybe in volunteering. Exactly. That's a typical transition. Yeah. That's fabulous. That's beautiful. Usually, we like to make sure that the wish kid has grown from the experience. Exactly. Share that growth. Become happier from the experience. Right. Which, as you know, that's what really does happen. That's what wishes do. Right. That's the intention. Exactly. Right. Of course. And then, let's see, there's one of the... So, as far as volunteering, are you in need of volunteers? Should people contact you because they're a volunteer coordinator to be able to volunteer? Yeah. Is that something that you seek? Yeah. Shawna Wacom-Smith is kind of like our volunteer coordinator. Coordinator? Yep. And her email is... Let me jot this down to you and say it, please, so that people listen and can hear. So, what is her... S. Okay. Wacam W-A-K-E-H-A-M. Okay. S. S-M-I-T-H. Oh. Wacom-Smith. Okay. S-M-I-T-H. Is there a dash in there or anything? Or that's altogether? Altogether. Okay. At Vermont. Vermont spelled out. All spelled out. Okay. Dot wish dot org. Dot wish dot org. Can't forget that one dot in there. And so, what types of things could people get in touch and then end up volunteering? Would they... Is it something they could do maybe like, on a monthly basis, just a few hours? Or they could do something each week? Yeah. What would they play? Generally, our best volunteer opportunities are actually when people themselves put on events for Make-A-Wish. Oh, I see. To raise money. Right. So, we could have a fundraiser at any business and the proceeds would go directly to you. Exactly. Exactly. We had one little girl over the summer who raised over $700 from a lemonade stand. No way. Benefiting vehicles. Oh my goodness. How beautiful is that? Right? That's a lot of lemonade too. Yeah. I think $700 is a lot of money. Yeah. So, how old was she? Like nine. Wow. How impressive is that? And then you figure her friends that are aware of this and everything. Yeah. So, like birthday parties and things, I'm sure people just say instead of gifts, you can make a wish. Yeah, that's exactly it. So, the Liz and George bond of Berry, Vermont, they... I know them well. Really? Yeah, Liz and Bill bond. Yes. Yeah. They're very good friends of mine. Yes. And they put on the holiday party and they asked for donations instead of like a hostess gift. I didn't even realize that. And I've known them. My son and their grandson went to Rice. Yeah. And I knew them very, very well. And you know, talk about humble. Yeah. They do so much and they never even happen to mention that, which is huge. That's beautiful. Yeah. Oh, I love it. Yeah. So, we are going to wrap up here. Let me just check real quickly if there is anything else that I wanted to...the donations. You can go right to the site. But even different businesses, I'd like to talk to some different people that I know and see when they have events, if the funds could go your way. And does that go through you then? Of course. If I get in touch with somebody that does want to have an event at their business, they would contact you. Or Emily Malley. Oh, okay. She is our Development and Communications Director. Okay. Emily's email is... Yeah, I do have hers. Oh, perfect. Yes, thank you. Love that. Thank you so much. Yeah. Well, happy holidays. Happy holidays. I am so inspired by you. I mean, what you have done in your short life here on earth is just remarkable. Your parents must be ecstatic. I mean, so proud. I know. I mean, it's sort of like a movie. I mean, the way you're giving back. And, you know, I can't thank you enough for your time here and how meaningful all of this is. And it's... I get a little choked up. It's such a beautiful story. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. And if you have my information, if there's ever anything, I would love to volunteer if you ever need somebody. Let me know. I love Vermont Teddy Bear. And come on down there and meet with you and send me off and do whatever you need. But I would love to be able to do that. Maybe, you know, get some kindness bears as part of the experience. If we could give this to different children, I'd like to have that be part of the process. If you find that there's a child that would like, you kind of feel that, you know, maybe this bear would be appropriate. I'd love to give those to you so that you could pass those along. Because, you know, unfortunately, you know, we go through a lot of bears. That's, you know, it's good in many ways. But, you know, there's a lot of sadness that comes along with needing to have the bear. That fact is when they get the bear, you know, they're sleeping with the bear and they're with the bear and it becomes their friend. And that is just so beautiful in itself. What a bear could do is you well know being located there. But, I mean, it's so heartwarming to just see how much that means. So I would love to fold that piece in if we could. And just to have that be part of the wish and just to, you know, kick off the wish where the bear would be fabulous. They want a purple bear or they want to have, you know, sunny or sparky, we can make that happen. Yeah. Well, thank you so much, Jamie. I really appreciate it. It's an honor to meet you. I'm just so pleased at our passive cross. And I'm glad you are sitting here at this table. And life is looking good. You obviously are a strong woman and a survivor. And it's an honor to know who you are. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. Okay. Bye-bye. Bye.