COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Sunday, Aflac and Make-A-Wish South Carolina celebrated a heartwarming wish reveal at the South Carolina Museum.
In 2023, the Wynn family put in a wish for Rowan Wynn. Now, they're in for quite an adventure.
"You excited," Timothy Wynn, Rowan's father, said. "Yeah," Rowan Wynn replied.
Three-year-old Rowan's magic wish was to go to Walt Disney World -- and he will. Aflac and South Carolina Make-A-Wish partnered to celebrate Rowan, who, at only 10 days old, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. This genetic disease can block airways and damage organs. The family was devastated but kept moving forward. Now, Rowan and his family can experience some joy in their lives.
“It means a lot, you know," Rowan's father said. "We’re a single-income military family; we don’t have a lot of money, and we don’t make a lot of money. So, this gives us the opportunity to be able to go down there and have him do this."
Since 2018, Aflac has donated over $60,000, which has helped make the dreams of eight Midland children with health challenges come true. South Carolina Make-A-Wish officials rely on partners like Aflac.
“While we are affiliated with Make-A-Wish America, each Make-A-Wish chapter is their own non-profit," said Mary Silverberg, the director of Development Operations with South Carolina Make-A-Wish. "So, I am with Make-A-Wish South Carolina, and we are responsible for fundraising funds in South Carolina and granting wishes for kids. Partners like Aflac make that possible."
“It’s something that we as an organization at Aflac; we know it's something that we not only should do, have to do, and do because we enjoy it, and we love seeing the impact it has on the local community," Bob Ruff, the senior vice president with Group Voluntary Benefits at Aflac, said.
The South Carolina Chapter of Make-A-Wish granted 237 wishes this past year. Rowan's family said that Rowan loves Mickey Mouse. The family will spend a week in Florida this upcoming Tuesday.
