Samuel was diagnosed with leukemia near the end of eighth grade, just weeks before graduation. What followed were years of treatment, unexpected complications and a long list of restrictions that changed what everyday life looked like for him and his family.
Before his diagnosis, Samuel loved being outside. Fishing, hunting, swimming and spending time on the water were all a big part of his life. During treatment, many of those activities had to be put on hold. There were times when he could go to a pool or lake with friends but couldn’t get in the water, and eventually it became easier to avoid those situations altogether.
Even through the hardest parts of treatment, Samuel kept a strong outlook. His family remembers being struck by his calmness when he was first diagnosed and by the way he continued to move forward despite everything he was facing.
After finishing treatment, Samuel was finally able to begin returning to the activities he had missed for so long. When it came time to choose his wish, he knew he wanted it to involve fishing.
Samuel had already spent years fishing with his dad and loved the challenge that comes with catching powerful, fast-moving fish. He had fished in the Gulf and in Florida, but wanted the chance to experience somewhere completely different. After researching tropical destinations, he chose Hawaii and set his sights on fishing for mahi mahi.
For years, Samuel had watched videos of pelagic fishing and was fascinated by the fight these fish put up. He especially loved the idea of fishing in clear tropical waters, something very different from what he was used to back home.
His wish gave him the chance to explore new waters, take on a challenge he had dreamed about for years and return to something that had always made him feel like himself.
After spending so much of his teenage years being told what he couldn’t do, this adventure was about finally getting to say yes.
