BLAINE, Minn. — Joy comes in many forms. On Saturday in Blaine, it came as a carnival for two-year-old Kenna Volkman. She had one wish: “A party!”
Thanks to Fridley-based Wishes And More, it was made possible.
About a year and a half ago, Kenna was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. She had a tumor in her left eye.
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“It was very scary at first,” said Kelly Volkman, Kenna’s mother. “As it got to the point where the chemotherapy was done, it became more of just looking forward to the future. At this point, we’re in maintenance mode. And we hope it stays that way.”
Kenna also had two other tumors, which were quickly treated. She now has partial vision in one eye.
“It was stressful. We weren’t sure if she was going to be able to keep an eye or not,” Kelly said.
Saturday was a celebration of the progress she has made. But she had one more wish: more wishes.
Kenna’s family wanted the carnival to help grant more children’s wishes. So they made it a fundraiser.
“It touched all of our hearts because it was about giving, at the same time about having an experience for a little girl who loves the holidays,” said Karla Blomberg, president of Wishes and More.
“We invited everyone we know,” Volkman said. “Friends from work. Friends from daycare, friends around. Everyone.”
Hundreds of people came to the Infinite Campus in Blaine to show their support for the organization that grants big wishes like deep-sea fishing or trips to Disneyland for children up to age 19 who are sick.
“We come in and there’s nothing we can do about it. But we can certainly create very special memories and extraordinary moments,” Blomberg said. “This is what we do. They will remember this forever.”
On Saturday afternoon Kenna got her wish granted with some jumping on the carnival bouncy castle. Jumping for joy.
Ren Clayton
