Guadalupe, age 14

Guadalupe is a sweet, friendly, brave and outgoing girl who exudes warmth and love. Friends and family call her Lupita for short. Born with a heart anomaly, Lupita, now 14 years old, has undergone heart surgery and has a pacemaker. When given the opportunity to wish for anything her heart desired, Lupe expressed she was so grateful to God for being alive. At first, she even thought of rejecting the wish so that it could go to another child. This just goes to show how sweet and caring of a child young Lupita is. After some convincing and much consideration, Lupita wished to meet her favorite artists, La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de Renee Camacho. When she received the news, Lupita couldn’t believe it. Her mother, Blanca, shared that she had been sleeping very little and could not talk about anything else since then.

On Friday afternoon, the day before the wish, Lupita’s wish grantor, Luz, and the assigned celebrity escort, Brighitte, went to the family’s home to celebrate the realization of Lupita’s wish to meet La Arrolladora Banda El Limón. Lupita was joined by her mother, brothers, cousins and friends to celebrate her big day ahead and it was only fitting to do so with pizza, soda, presents, and her favorite, tres leches cake. Lupita could hardly eat because she was so excited. She did however, cut a huge chunk of the cake, the part with the flower made of lemon slices, and saved it for later. She made sure everyone knew to respect her piece. When it came time to open up her presents, Lupita yelled “Hey!” to make sure that all eyes were on her and soon enough, they were. She pulled out a purple autograph book with her name as well as a photo album that read “Make-A-Wish” and the date on it. Lupita was also surprised with chocolates and pink “Princess” balloons. Upon seeing the latter, she turned to her mother and with a huge smile, said, “Look mom. They know me. I’m the princess.” Lupita and her family thoroughly enjoyed the celebration and were anxious for the following day to come. The family shared that they had purchased tickets so that they could be at the concert on Lupita’s big day. Lupita was thrilled that she would be joined by more of her family that day. As excited as Lupita was before about the wish, the party signified the very soon-to-come realization of her wish and most certainly, this meant no sleep that night.

On Saturday evening of June 19, 2010 Lupita’s Bell Gardens neighborhood was calm and quiet. That was until a white stretch limo pulled onto the street in front of the family’s residence at around 5:30pm. Lupita hurried out to see and soon, the rest of her family followed. The group spent 15 minutes taking pictures and finally the group got into the limo and started heading out. The remaining entourage stood on the sidewalk looking off into the distance as Lupita went off to meet her favorite group in style.

The limo arrived at the back entrance of the Nokia Theater at 6pm. Lupita, her mother, her cousins and her escort, were greeted by the group’s publicist, Gaby Lopez, and given VIP wristbands as well as the tickets for the show. Once inside the VIP room, Lupita sat anxiously awaiting the big moment. Lupita kept staring off into the distance; all she could think about was meeting her favorite singer, Jorge and the rest of the guys. At one point, she could hear them talking on the upstairs level where they were holding a press conference. This only made her more anxious. Soon, Gaby met up with us once again and informed the group that Lupita would get to meet the band after the concert. Before Gaby left, Lupita made sure to hand her a piece of paper that read “Send a shout out to my brothers and family in the audience.” Gaby promised she’d pass on the message to the group.

Once in their seats, the family couldn’t wait until the concert began. Lupita and her two cousins excitedly speculated about the songs the group would sing and discussed the one song Lupita wished with all her heart that they would dedicate to her, “Niña de mi Corazón.” Once the concert started there was no talking to Lupita as she concentrated on singing along to every song, word for word. Of course, she was all smiles the entire time. At exactly 9pm, Gaby came by and asked Lupita to follow her. The family knew it but Lupita had no clue that the group was going to bring her on stage. Gaby told Lupita she needed her for an interview, a clever lie to get Lupita comfortable with going backstage. However, once they stood backstage looking out into the audience Gaby let her know that’d she’d be going up there. From the distance, Lupita looked nervous but eager and ready.

The lead singer, Jorge, told the audience that they were going to take a break to do something they had never done before. He introduced Lupita and then brought her out onstage where Renee Camacho, the band’s creator, handed her a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Jorge sent out a shout out to the family and asked her where mom was. He asked her mom for permission and gave her a quick peck; Lupita was absolutely stunned. The group then sang her the song she so anxiously awaited to hear that night, “Niña de mi Corazón.” The two lead singers sat down on the floor by her to deliver the serenade as Lupita sat in a chair center stage with all eyes on her. After the song was over, Lupita’s mother approached the stage and handed Jorge a box. Inside was a glass heart that read, “I know my heart is a bit damaged but in it, there’s a space for you. I am grateful for your humility in allowing me to meet you. God bless you today and always,” which Jorge read aloud to the audience. The band was very touched by the gesture and the entire theatre cheered for Lupita. Jorge thanked her and then took her by the hand and escorted her off the stage.

Lupita returned to her seat and everyone around her greeted her with a smile and kind words. Her mother and cousins were ecstatic that she had had such an amazing moment onstage. After the concert, Gaby escorted the party to the group’s dressing room. Although they were tired and ready to go home, the entire group was so receptive and kind to Lupita and her family. They gladly took pictures with her and autographed two shirts and a scrapbook Lupita has made with pictures of the group. Jorge and Renee spent a lot of time talking to Lupita and her family which made Lupita feel like a superstar. Lupita was even given a CD autographed by the two lead a singers and Renee Camacho. She was also promised the new CD once it was released in July. The band will also send her a DVD where they will be wishing her a great time on the day of her Quinceañera. This video is a complete surprise for Lupita and will not be shown to her until the big day.

Once we came out of the dressing room, Lupita could not stop smiling. She proudly wore her recently autographed t-shirt. She stared at her mother with a cheek-to-cheek smile. After a moment in silence, Lupita shared with the group, “I want a burrito.” That meant it was time to go home. It had been a long day and Lupita couldn’t wait to get home and share her day’s adventures with her the rest of her family.

In the limo, Lupita did not hesitate to rip open the CD and put the volume on blast. She sang along to every song the entire way back. Back at home she was greeted by her brothers and other family. The celebration would continue as her brothers promised to take her out for a meal.

Lupita has such an admirable positive attitude, is super approachable and completely genuine. Her smile will light up the darkest of rooms and she knows how to keep the mood light and fun. As much as she enjoyed the wish, the group and everyone who met her were very pleased to be in her presence. Lupita and her family shared that they were very grateful to Make-A-Wish, La Arrolladora Banda El Limon and everyone involved in making that day such a memorable and unique experience.

Submitted by Brighitte, Volunteer