Plymouth Girl Gets Shopping Spree Wish

Ameily, 9, of Plymouth lives with thalassemia, a blood disorder. When presented with an opportunity for a wish, she chose to go on a shopping spree at Mall of America. Ameily’s wish came true, courtesy of UnitedHealthcare and Make-A-Wish®. UnitedHealthcare sponsored Ameily’s wish through its national alliance with Make-A-Wish® to support the organization and its mission of granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. 

On Sept. 10 a limousine brought Ameily and her family to a "spa breakfast" that UnitedHealthcare employees hosted to kick-off Ameily's wish day. A cosmetologist gave Ameily, her sisters and mother a manicure and pedicure before a red carpet send-off to the Mall of America. According to Ameily’s wish granters, she loves to shop. “Ameily has had to deal with her medical condition since birth, and her wish day will give her the chance to forget about her illness, and be a typical kid.” 

As part of a renewed three-year, $3 million alliance, each of Make-A-Wish’s 62 chapters is eligible to receive wish-granting funds. UnitedHealth Group has funded more than 1,250 wishes beginning with its initial three-year, $4.5 million alliance in 2007. Additionally, UnitedHealth Group employees and the dollar-for-dollar company match have donated more than $2.8 million through its annual United Giving Campaign. 

“We are very happy to see that UnitedHealthcare’s national alliance with Make-A-Wish is able to provide Ameily with her shopping spree wish,” said Matthew Peterson, Chief Administrative Officer for UnitedHealthcare and President of UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation. “As a health and well-being company, we work every day to make a difference in our communities, and we are honored to be a part of this wish.”

(Editor's Note: This information was provided by Anita Sen for the Make-a-Wish Foundation and UnitedHealth Group.)