Make-A-Wish® Illinois grants wish for boy with life threatening illness

ROCKFORD- David Stim, 13, of Rockford is a fun loving young man who enjoys an active lifestyle. In his free time, David enjoys snowboarding, skateboarding and running. When David is not on the move, he likes to relax by watching funny videos online. His family describes him as a, “friendly kid who is always thinking.”

In December of 2014, the Stim family received the terrible news that David had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease.  He was referred to Make-A-Wish Illinois by a member of his medical staff at Cadence Health Center.

At the end of April, he was declared to be in remission.  This announcement came at an important time in his illness when he was not feeling well and was missing school.  What David did not know was that he would be receiving another exciting surprise in the coming months.

On July 26, David’s wish to meet his favorite online personalities, Rhett and Link, at VidCon in Anaheim, Calif. was granted.  More than 300 of the most innovative and influential YouTube creators will perform, discuss, and connect with attendees at the three-day conference.

When wish granters made it clear that all the details were taken care of, it brought such joy and excitement to David and his family.

“Everything was above and beyond,” David’s mother stated.

David, along with his brother, sister and parents, were picked up by a limo and made their way down the coast of California to join the 22,000 other fans attending VidCon.  When they arrived, David was ecstatic when he was told he would meet three other interesting personalities in addition to Rhett and Link, which included Ian and Anthony from SMOSH, a comedic YouTube duo.

He was also introduced to Lindsey Sterling, a pop violinist.  David has played the violin since kindergarten, and continued to play throughout his illness.  Violin is extremely important to him.

“He was absolutely floored.  He had a huge smile and big laughter and was on cloud nine.  He was very thankful,” David’s mother added.

For more insight into David’s interesting wish, visit YouTube and watch Rhett and Link Forbid You to Make a YouTube Channel While Granting David’s Wish, SMOSH and Rhett and Link Give YouTube Tips to David, and SMOSH and David Do Air High-Fives.  Also, visit David’s Twitter account at https://twitter.com/david_stim.

Wishes like David’s are made possible through Make-A-Wish with the generous financial support of individual, community and corporate donors.

About Make-A-Wish Illinois

Make-A-Wish Illinois grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Since being founded locally in 1985, the chapter has granted more than 12,000 wishes and continues its mission to share the power of a wish^® with special children across the state.

For more information or to find out how you can help, call (217) 544-9470 or (800)978-9474, toll-free or visit www.illinois.wish.org.