Former wish kid inspires father's leadership at Make-A-Wish Maine
PORTLAND (WGME) – In 2024, Make-A-Wish Maine welcomed new President and CEO Brian Franks.
"I love helping people, and I think that is a strength, and I just find that so comforting,” wish kid Nora Franks said.
His daughter, Nora Franks of Cape Elizabeth, is a typical teenager now.
"Nora is just super outgoing. She cares for people,” Brian Franks said.
Twelve years ago, she was in the hospital, diagnosed with a form of kidney cancer at just three years old.
“Our day-to-day lives changed pretty dramatically,” mother Val Franks said.
“There came a point where she had ended her treatment, and we were just beginning to come out of it, out of the fog, and we were referred to Make-A-Wish,” Brian Franks said.
At the age of five, Nora Franks' wish to go to Disney World in Florida was granted.
“The whole family just got completely energized and excited, and we had something to look forward to and planned for,” Val Franks said.
Nora Franks remembers a highlight was the princess ball.
“I just remember having such a fun time,” Nora Franks said. “I remember feeling just so happy and having a break from worrying so much, and that felt really good.”
A year after her wish, Nora Franks needed a kidney transplant, and the perfect match was her father.
“She looked at me coming in, and said, ‘Hey dad, I don't need dialysis anymore,’ and that was really special,” Brian Franks said.
Now, Brian Franks brings that personal connection to his new role at Make-A-Wish Maine.
“I just feel so lucky to now be in a position to help other kids and other families and really understand on some level what they've been going through, and how this can just be a way for those kids to forget all about that, all about the hard things,” Brian Franks said.
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