WC Wisconsin News

Lilith Kiehl and her family are going to Disney World.

The 11-year-old Eau Claire girl’s dream is coming true through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which is planning the trip to take place some time in December.

Lilith was forced to endure 16 rounds of chemotherapy in La Crosse after being diagnosed in 2020 with a form of cancer that ultimately led to her kidney being removed.

"She was diagnosed with Wilms' Tumor,” Lilith’s mom Amanda Kiehl told WQOW. “It is a cancer that attacks the kidneys and can go all the way up into the brain and the spine."

In Lilith’s case, she was fortunate enough that doctors caught the cancer in its early stages and charted a course of treatment, but family members added that the whole situation has taken quite a toll.

"We had to move from where we were because we were living out on Mitchell Road and we had to move from there because it wasn't really somewhere we could be, and we went into emergency housing and then we moved here,” Kiehl added. “So that was a lot. And then just the emotional strain of chemotherapy, having to watch your child go through that."

Lilith is in remission now, and over the summer Make-A-Wish made its announcement about sending the family of six to Disney World. While there, Lilith said she hopes to meet Elsa and Anna, among others.

"Those are my favorite Disney princesses," she told WQOW. "I'm super excited. This is going to be my first time ever going on an airplane. Thank youuuuu!!"

Children who have or have had a critical illness can qualify for Make-A-Wish; and for the month of October, Wisconsin officials are promoting the "Month of Miles," encouraging people to donate airlines miles to aid local kids' in having their dreams fulfilled.