An avid tennis player since the age of four, Marina, now 15, was sidelined for months because of her battle with Hodgkin’s Disease. Her first love remained tennis so she wished to attend the biggest, most exclusive tennis tournament in the world – the Wimbledon Championships in England. Each year when she asked her parents if they could go, they would reply, “Maybe next year.” Marina was thrilled that her wait was over.
Wimbledon is often cursed with rain delays but the sun was shining for Marina. Walking through the gates at Wimbledon, she could feel the history. She had often visualized being at Centre Court, at the center of the action. As she took her seat in the stands, Marina became silent and then started to cry. She told her parents, “I’m just in shock. I can’t believe that I’m really here.” Her surreal experience continued as she watched her favorite players compete and enjoyed strawberries and cream for dessert, a sweet Wimbledon tradition.

Between matches, Marina walked from court to court to absorb as much as possible and explored the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. During her weeklong stay in London, Marina also packed in a bus tour of London and visits to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, the Hard Rock Café London and Warwick Castle, an 11th century creation. With dreams of becoming a pro player one day, Marina will always cherish her trip to Wimbledon!

Wish Granters: Denae Ankele & Jessica Rivera
Referred by: Broward General Medical Center
Sponsored by: Mr. & Mrs. George Bayer