Tulsa World: Just make a wish

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Just make a wish
Helpers, kids get memories to last a lifetime

Make-a-Wish recipient and now helper Ethan Starkweather, 9, shows attorney Kevin Doyle some photographs of a trip he took courtesy of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Watching in the background is Ethan's mom, Amy Starkweather. Doyle has helped reinvigorate the foundation. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World

By MICHAEL OVERALL World Staff Writer
Published: 6/22/2009 2:18 AM
Last Modified: 6/22/2009 3:41 AM

One time, he got to deliver a four-wheeler to a young cancer patient in Ponca City, but only because no one else had a truck that could pull a trailer.

Ordinarily, as the board chairman of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma, Kevin Doyle doesn't get personally involved — he raises money while staff members and volunteers grant wishes.

The trip to Ponca City was his first time.

"I'll never forget it," he says. "The way that kid smiled — granting a wish is a powerful thing to do, and you never want to stop."

Since Doyle joined the foundation seven years ago, the wishes have ranged from humble to extravagant — from a party at a Chinese buffet to surfing lessons in Hawaii.

Only once can he remember a wish that stretched the foundation's ability — a boy who wanted his own elephant.

"That wasn't an easy one," Doyle admits. "Where were we supposed to find an elephant?"

It turns out that a circus keeps animals at a ranch near Hugo, in southeast Oklahoma, during the off-season.

Make-A-Wish arranged for the boy to take actual ownership — an elephant of his very own — on the condition that the circus could keep using the animal, and the boy could visit any time.

"Our job is very simple," Doyle says. "We grant wishes. Whatever the kids want, if it's within the realm of possibility, we never say no."

Doyle's magic wand is money. And the problem is, in this tough economy, money can be harder to find than an elephant.

'Can't be satisfied'

A well-known attorney, Doyle landed on the Make-A-Wish board after rolling off the Citizen Crime Commission in 2002. This summer, he'll wrap up his second year as the chairman, which usually comes with a one-year term limit.

Make-A-Wish made an exception in Doyle's case partly because he gets so much credit for reinvigorating the Oklahoma chapter.

"When I came on board," Doyle remembers at the Make-A-Wish offices in south Tulsa, "it was very much a grass-roots organization, which is good. But it was a constant struggle to keep it going."

He wanted to "take it to the next level," Doyle says. And that meant, among other changes, expanding the professional staff — now with 12 employees spread between offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City — and recruiting high-profile board members with connections to well-heeled donors.

Members include State Auditor and Inspector Steve Burrage and Ann Hargis, the "first lady" of Oklahoma State University.

As chapters in other states struggle to meet funding goals, the Oklahoma chapter has maintained a $2.2 million annual budget.

"But we can't be satisfied," Doyle says. "Every year, we're doing more wishes and, as a result, we have to raise more money."

'A hard job'

Before leaving on his Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World last fall, 9-year-old Ethan Starkweather had girls lined up on the playground to help him practice dancing with Cinderella.

His mother's not sure what he liked better — Disney World itself, or the playground flirting.

"It's not just the wish itself," says Amy Starkweather. "It's the anticipation before the wish and the memories after it."

Diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome — a genetic disorder that causes low muscle tone, cognitive disabilities and a chronic feeling of hunger — Ethan used to fantasize about flying with Peter Pan to distract himself during painful treatments at the hospital.

Now, he remembers actually meeting Peter Pan.

"I've definitely seen a new spark in him," his mother says.

Last week, Ethan met Doyle in the Make-A-Wish offices to show him pictures of the trip, and to discuss other ways for Ethan to help raise money.

Lately, Ethan has been one of the most tireless supporters, appearing on radio, contributing artwork for an auction and, most recently, serving as parade marshal for a motorcycle rally fundraiser this month.

"It makes me feel good to raise money for other kids," Ethan tells Doyle. "It's my job now."

"And it's a hard job, too, isn't it?" Doyle says. "But whenever I get tired, I look at a kid like you and remember why I'm doing this."

The Make-A-Wish Foundation

46 percent of wishes in Oklahoma involve going to disney world, the single most popular wish.

119 wishes were granted last year to Oklahoma children.

11 wishes last year included a trip to Hawaii.

$7,000 is spent per wish, on average.

1,600 wishes have been granted in Oklahoma since 1987.

153,000 wishes have been granted worldwide since 1980.

To be granted a wish, a child must be between 2 and 18 years old and diagnosed with a life-threatening condition.

A three-day “Wine, Women & Shoes” fundraiser begins Wednesday in Oklahoma City. For more information, visit tulsaworld.com/oklahomawish.

Michael Overall 581-8383
michael.overall@tulsaworld.com By MICHAEL OVERALL World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Tulsaace, (6/22/2009 8:10:42 AM) The POWER of Love...Thanks Make-a-Wish!!! You really bring smiles to kids and everyone that benefits from your giving... :-)
	Report Comment yodlin yeti, (6/22/2009 10:51:21 AM) get excited about the giving people in this country/community
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (6/22/2009 2:10:57 PM) Enjoyed the story and appreciate the cause.
	Report Comment Norm, (6/22/2009 5:53:24 PM) I can't think of a better cause to support! Thank you Mr Doyle for what you are doing!
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (6/22/2009 10:24:30 PM) Ethan is sure a cutie! It's wonderful that he works so hard to help Mr. Doyle and lots of other children. Great job, Ethan!

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