2018 Ambassadors
Sam Caswell (New Hampshire)
Sa
m will turn 22 on Thursday (July 5), and based on his diagnosis of MPS1/Hurler Syndrome back in 1997 this is truly a miracle! He has had a bone marrow transplant (the donor being his wonderful sister Jenna) and 24 surgeries. He has been representing New Hampshire at the Hockey Classic for 17 years and has formed close friendships with many involved in making it happen! He looks forward to coming back every year and honestly routes for both teams because he realizes how special each and every player is!
Sam just graduated Cum Laude with his Associates degree in Liberal Arts and will go on to UNH Manchester to continue his studies focusing on Communication/Arts (film). Sam enjoys throwing baskets, hanging with friends, reading, frequenting Newbury Comics, and his biggest passion…MOVIES!! He lives every day in physical pain with many physical limitations, but embraces life with passion, courage and hope and has taught us to do the same. He would like to thank his NH and VT Make-A-Wish families for inviting him back to his very favorite fundraiser!
Joshua Barnes (Vermont)
Joshua Barnes is just like any other 14 year old boys with the exception of a new heart. On February 17, 2017, Joshua received the new heart that he so desperately needed. Joshua was born with HLHS, which is Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. This means that the left side of his heart did not develop properly and his valves were small. Joshua had 9 open heart surgeries before the age of 12. At 10, he went into Congestive Heart Failure and the doctors told him that he would not live without a new heart. It was when his world turned upside down to Congestive Heart Failure the doctors told us to contact Make-A-Wish. Joshua loves farming and his wish was to go to Germany to see the Claas Factory. That trip was the gift of a lifetime to our family. Make-A-Wish made every part of the trip smooth and delightful. After so much time in the hospital, this was a very special time for our family. We came home recharged and ready to handle whatever came our way. We cannot thank Make-A-Wish enough for the trip that we will NEVER forget!
