MALDEN, MA. (December 5, 2021) – Jasper, a playful two-and-a-half-year-old who loves puzzles, dinosaurs and trucks. Diagnosed with myopathy, a life-threatening neuromuscular disease, the amount of time he spends on his favorite activities is limited, but his positive attitude always keeps a smile on his face. Seeking a welcome escape from the challenges of his illness, Jasper wished to have a play structure with a clubhouse!

Recently, Malden Catholic’s Make-A-Wish Club presented a check for $7,340 to Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island to create and build Jasper’s playset. Mayor Christenson from Malden, Mayor Brodeur from Melrose and Hilary Muntz, Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island Special Events Coordinator, we onsite for the ceremony along with the MC Make-A-Wish® Club members.

After seeing his customized playset for the first time, Jasper was amazed by its exciting features and the possibility for adventure. From the swings to relax on to the monkey bars to help him exercise to a slippery slide, Jasper was thrilled by this new world of exploration. As his mother reflects, “I am (and pretty sure I always will be) moved to tears when I look at the play structure. It's so much more than a play structure – it's proof that Jasper is a warrior and he can't be held back.”

Over the 2020 and 2021 academic year, Malden Catholic students and parents came together and raised money through a variety of events, candy grams and product sales to make his wish come true. “This served as a reminder that with a community working together, we can provide renewed hope and uplifting joy when it is needed most,” stated John Thornburg, Malden Catholic Headmaster. “Our MC Make-A-Wish Club is also actively pursuing the fundraising plans to fulfill a fourth wish in 2022.

ABOUT MALDEN CATHOLIC
Since 1932, Malden Catholic High School has shaped emerging leaders in our community, claiming a Nobel Laureate, a Senator, two ambassadors and countless community and business heads among its alumni. Annually, graduates attend some of the nation’s most renown universities including Harvard, Georgetown, Brown, Cornell, Tufts, Georgia Tech, Boston College and Amherst College. Foundational to student success is Malden Catholic's codivisional model which offers the best of both worlds, single-gender academics during the day and integrated social and extracurricular opportunities after school. Malden Catholic is known in the community for its rigorous academics, SFX Scholars Program and award-winning STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) with electives such as Robotics and Engineering Design. Malden Catholic curriculum is designed to improve individual growth mindset, leadership principles, success outcomes along with integrating the Xaverian values of trust, humility, compassion, simplicity and zeal. https://www.maldencatholic.org

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH® RHODE ISLAND AND MASSACHUSETTS
Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness. Since 1987, the organization has granted more than 8,500 wishes for children in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. https://massri.wish.org