Community help sought to grant teen’s wish

McKenna Mitchell studied for months to pass her driver’s test. On her 16th birthday, May 4, she aced it with a perfect score.

“I was really excited for it,” she said. “It makes me feel independent.”

Earning her driver’s license marks a new beginning for the Carson High School junior, who is still recovering nearly a year after completing chemotherapy.

“I have good days and bad days,” she said.

McKenna was diagnosed in June 2010 with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare disease that causes malignant tumors to grow, usually in the bones. However, McKenna’s tumor was found in her small intestine after she suffered from stomachaches for two years.

Once the tumor was removed, McKenna had to undergo a scheduled 27 weeks of chemotherapy. However, the treatments extended for nearly a year because she would get so sick in between them, spending days and even weeks in the hospital recovering.

She’s scheduled for a surgery soon to remove her gallbladder, which was damaged in the process.

“Chemotherapy just tears your whole body down,” said McKenna’s mother, Heidi Jones.

But McKenna is trying to stay focused on the positive and plan for her future, starting with her car.

“My friend’s sister had a (Toyota) 4Runner,” she said. “I thought it was the coolest car ever.”

Now she has her own 4Runner, but it’s not quite the dream car. The 1997 sport utility vehicle has more than 200,000 miles and is showing some wear.

When presented with the chance to choose a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, McKenna gave it careful consideration. Almost immediately, she ruled out any kind of trip because she would be limited in whom she could bring along.

“I have two sets of parents and a brother and three stepbrothers,” she explained. “I didn’t want to have to choose.”

Instead, she asked for a car makeover.

But it’s not that simple.

“While Make-A-Wish Northern Nevada can only perform external enhancements on the car, the foundation wants to make the experience special for McKenna,” explained regional director Cynthia Freeman. “Among the other elements McKenna would love to see in the finished product are new paint, upholstery, wheel rims and window tinting. The foundation is looking for businesses and individuals to help make McKenna’s wish come true.”

She’s asking the community to donate time, services and money to help make McKenna’s wish a reality.

Tristin Parrish, 16, said her best friend since the third grade deserves the help.

“It was hard seeing how sick she was,” Tristin said. “Having cancer, you’re not out doing fun things. Being a teenager, that’s hard. Any kid with cancer deserves a Make-A-Wish.”

Tristin cries when she talks about what she saw McKenna endure — losing her hair and energy, dropping to a mere 78 pounds — and her hope for a brighter future.

“It was a hard time, a lot of tears,” Tristin said. “Now, it’s just tears of happiness because she came through it all.”

McKenna’s eyes well up, too.

“I’m grateful,” she said.