Austin
was an active, 17 year old near Nashville, Tennessee with dreams of going to
Hawaii with his family and learning to surf. Unfortunately, Austin’s dreams had
to be put on hold when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer that
attacks the body’s lymphatic system.American Equity Mortgage learned about Austin and his dream of going to Hawaii through the Make-A-Wish foundation, and when Austin was well enough to travel, our AEM Cares corporate giving program helped grant his wish!
AEM hosted a luau-themed wish party in Austin’s honor at a Tennessee lake and water park. Friends, family and AEM were all there to support Austin, and he received some gifts for his trip from his
friends
at AEM too. Good food and great times at the luau were followed by enjoying the
warm, sunny day with water park and lake activities for the rest of the day.When Austin was asked about his trip, he said, ”We are going to go to surf lessons the first day, then snorkeling the second, then we're going parasailing the third. Then I think we're going to go see Pearl Harbor and hangout at the beach.” This trip will be a great way for Austin and his family to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company, life and love.
Craig Smidt, the Branch Manager or our Nashville office, commented, “One of the greatest things was seeing how blown away the family was. They were so surprised and grateful that people who didn’t even know them would come together to help make Austin’s wish come true. I find it personally rewarding to be a part of a company that is not only willing, but wants to help families in our communities.”
American Equity Mortgage is proud to have helped the Make-A-Wish foundation make Austin’s wish come true.
