A Davis girl and a Modesto boy, both battling leukemia, will lead the 14th annual Walk for Wishes at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at Raley Field in West Sacramento. Proceeds from the event will enable Make-A-Wish to continue its mission to grant the wishes of children battling life-threatening medical conditions to bring hope, strength and joy.

Zoe and Noah will lead the parade of walkers, which will begin and end at Raley Field. Family-friendly activities will be available at the field.

To sign up for the walk or to join a team, visit http://sacwalkforwishes.kintera.org/2013. Participating walkers have spent several months collecting donations from family, friends and coworkers to reach the goal of granting 50 wishes.

Make-A-Wish exists to help children like 6-year-old Zoe and 12-year-old Noah, a news release said.

Zoe loves princesses, especially Cinderella, and her heartfelt wish was to have “a day in the life of a princess.” Her family and friends say she loves to dress up and fantasize about being a princess. This became an even more important part of her life after she was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010 and her life began to revolve around doctor’s appointments, chemotherapy treatments and more tests than anyone could imagine.

Zoe’s wish to meet a real princess came just a few months later when she visited Disneyland and received a full makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. She received the royal treatment during her entire stay, including going to the front of the line on all her favorite rides.

“The whole thing was pretty magical,” said Zoe’s mom Emily, “Her wish was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience — not just for our little princess, but for the whole family.”

Like most 12-year-old boys, Noah loves playing video games and watching his favorite sports teams, particularly the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants. He also enjoys hiking, fishing, traveling and learning about new places. What’s not typical is what he has had to face since he was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 9.

So when Make-A-Wish asked him what his one true wish would be, he quickly said he wanted to go to New York City. He has been fascinated with New York as far back as his mom Amy can remember.

On his list of must-sees in the Big Apple are the Empire State Building, FAO Schwarz, Ground Zero, American Museum of National History, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Bronx Zoo and of course, a Yankee game.

Noah and his family will visit New York City in June.

For more information, visit www.necannv.wish.org.

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Zoe is a 6-year-old Davis girl who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010. Zoe loves princesses, especially Cinderella, and her wish was to meet a real princess. Thanks to the Mak-A-Wish Foundation, Zoe received a full makeover at the Bubbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disneyland and met several Disney princesses during her day at the Happiest Place on Earth. Courtesy photo

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Noah, 12, of Modesto also is battling leukemia. He and his family recently traveled to New York City, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where they saw the Empire State Building, Ground Zero, American Museum of Natural History, the Statue of Liberty and a Yankee game. Courtesy photo

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