For the Make-A-Wish foundation, granting dreams is more than just giving a gift.
Wishes provide hope, healing, and a positive distraction for kids fighting illnesses all over Texas. And it all starts with a well-plotted surprise; a reveal to kick off the journey.
Parker Anderson thought he was just attending a pep rally. He thought all of the fan fair was to support his yearly diabetes walk, but then things changed.
The surprise was all over Parker’s face. He and his sister could hardly take it.
"I don't know," mouthed Parker looking at his sister in confusion and excitement as to what was happening. "I looked at my sister and was like, ‘what is this?’"
It was all just the start of his gift from Make-a-Wish; a surprise reveal for a brave boy fighting tumors in his body.
"When I hear my mom and the doctor talking about it, how I have tumors in my stomach that are wrapped around my bowels, I don't like that part," Parker said.
"He is the happiest and most joyful kid, but when he has these pain episodes, it's unbearable to watch. And then it will just stop," said mom, Heather Anderson.
The tumors are benign but keep growing. Parker has gone through chemo to slow the growth.
"What does the word hope mean to you?" asked reporter Shelly Slater.
"Courage you never stop,” Parker responded. “You stay strong."
And that strength caught the attention of Darth Vader.
"The force is unusually strong in someone here," said Vader, referring to Parker.
And with that, it was time for a light saber fight with the Sith Lord as Parker's entire school cheered his name.
His wish to go to Jedi Training is coming true at Disney World. The anticipation of the big day may be the greatest medicine of all.
"We've had this thing for months that we've been looking forward to that's been keeping him excited that has given him a great deal of hope and joy in this process," his mom said.
"I got excited because I heard a bunch of cheerleaders were coming. They're pretty cute," said Parker as he talked about the pep rally.
"Who do you like more? Star wars or cheerleaders?" his sister asked.
"Star Wars hands down!" Parker responded.
"They really love each other - his sister is the biggest cheerleader,” his mom said.
But part of the squad is Make-A-Wish.
"It feels like they're kind of like family and they love me," Parker said.
"We just love that people in the community want to give," the mother said. "He's my little dude."
For more on how you can make a kid's wish come true, visit Kens5.com/wishes.