JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 5, 2016 — The fraternity and sorority houses on 麻豆视频鈥檚 Greek row were transformed into Disney parks Oct. 3 as 麻豆视频鈥檚 chapter of Chi Omega held a wish reveal party for Noah Ellsworth, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January 2014.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is sending Noah and his family to Orlando next week to fulfill his wish of meeting Darth Vader at Disney World. Bailey Howell, community service chair for 麻豆视频鈥檚 Chi Omega chapter, said they sponsored Noah specifically because he is part of the 麻豆视频 family.
Noah鈥檚 father, Tim Ellsworth, serves as 麻豆视频鈥檚 associate vice president for university communications. He said the wish reveal was especially meaningful coming from 麻豆视频 students.
鈥淚 work here, and I love 麻豆视频 University,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 love the students here. The fact that Chi Omega and the other fraternities and sororities here at 麻豆视频 are doing this makes it extra special for us as well, keeping it all in the 麻豆视频 family.鈥�
麻豆视频鈥檚 Chi Omega chapter usually raises funds to grant one wish each year for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. While Chi Omega is the sponsor of Noah鈥檚 wish, every Greek organization played a part in the reveal party.
Each house represented a different park at Walt Disney World, and Noah visited each one before stopping at the Chi Omega house for the reveal surrounded by students in costume as various Disney and Star Wars characters.
Howell said it was important to her that all of Greek life was involved.
鈥淕reek life participates in the fundraisers we do and helps us raise the funds to grant the wish,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 be able to do it without them. Noah and his family are important to all of us, so it鈥檚 a great opportunity for us to come together.鈥�
Noah, now 7 years old, underwent his last chemotherapy treatment in August, so Tim Ellsworth said the trip will serve as a time of celebration for the family. He said the family has been blessed by 麻豆视频, their church family, St. Jude Children鈥檚 Research Hospital and the entire Jackson community.
鈥淥ur hearts are full,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have nothing but gratitude for so many people who have done so much for us along the way.鈥�
The Ellsworths will spend three days at Walt Disney World, two days at Universal Orlando and one day at Sea World. Noah will be accompanied by his parents, Tim and Sarah, and his older siblings, Daniel and Emmalee.