JACKSON Tenn (July 23, 2015) — An 11-year-old cancer survivor’s wish comes true thanks to Mid-South Make-A-Wish Foundation and Robinson Toyota.

Gabriel Parker thought he was in town to car shop with his family. Gabe’s family had a different plan in mind. Gabe’s father, Willie Parker said once the Make-A- Wish application was approved they wanted to know what Gabe wanted more than anything,  He told them he wanted clear blue water, to eat crab, and to swim with dolphins. Atlantis, Bahamas fit the bill. Luckily he was granted his wish, said Willie.

But the story starts before his trip to Jackson.

Gabe and his family are from Dresden. In February, Gabe and his parents found out that lump was Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Once an often fatal form of cancer. Physicians sent the Parker family to St Jude’s Hospital. Months of treatment, chemo, surgery, medication, and after a lot of prayer and Gabe received a clear scan. Willie Parker, Gabe’s father, said the family remains very positive that they will get through this as a family. Parker said, this cancer has a high rate for curability, it’s not the death sentence it used to be.

Gabe had a dream of going to Atlantis in the Bahamas after seeing an ad for the resort. The Make-A-Wish foundation was contacted to see if Gabe qualified. Casey Tansey, Make-A-Wish Director of Development said their organization serves children with life threatening medical conditions. Applications meet strict criteria. Once approved Tansey said they go to work to fulfill the child’s wish. She said a child has never turned away due to lack of funding. Mid-South branch of Make A Wish has fulfilled 20 wishes this year and has 25 in line to fill.

Kim McCaleb and Steve Douglas and West Tennessee Make-A-Wish volunteers took personal charge of getting all of Gabe’s and the Parker family information gathered and submitted.  They said they hard work is paid off when they see the joy and excitement in a child’s face who has just learned wishes do come true.

Robinson Toyota was the community sponsor that joined with Make-A-Wish to help fulfill Gabe Parkers dream. Keith Hatchett, Sales Manager talked about being involved. Hatchett said they found out about this from Make-A-Wish and they got prepared to do it. Hatchett said they look forward to the next one. According to Hatchett, Robinson Toyota has given over $100,000. to the Make-A-Wish foundation over the last 20 years.

On Thursday afternoon, in the dealership showroom Gabe was asked to draw out a winners name for a prize to go to some lucky person. He had no idea it was all planned for him to draw his own name to be that winner.

Gabe Parker and his parents, Willie, Kyla, and sister Brook will leave immediately on Gabe’s dream vacation to Atlantis, Bahamas, on a 7-day all-inclusive trip thanks to Make-A-Wish, their volunteers, and Robinson Toyota.