As Charlie’s mom, I want to share a moment that has been a long time coming for our family.
Charlie was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was just seven years old. From that moment on, our lives became centered around treatments, hospital visits, procedures, and doing everything possible to help him fight this disease. Charlie spent 844 days in treatment, showing a level of strength and bravery that most adults would struggle to carry.
During his treatment, Charlie was referred to Make-A-Wish Northeastern & Central California. His wish was approved, but we were told we would have to wait until his medical team felt he was healthy enough to safely travel and fully enjoy the experience. That wait lasted over a year and a half.
Finally, after all that time, his doctors determined that he was ready.
On February 19, 2026, Charlie’s wish officially came true.
Charlie wished to visit Disneyland and Universal Studios, and the trip was filled with many firsts for him. It was his first airplane ride, his first time ever visiting Disneyland, and his first time visiting Disney California Adventure, along with his first time experiencing Universal Studios.
Watching him experience everything was something I will never forget. He soaked in every moment of the magic.
Some of Charlie’s favorite memories at Disneyland included riding Haunted Mansion, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. He also loved watching the Paint the Night parade celebration, which lit up the evening with music, lights, and incredible energy.
At Disney California Adventure Park, Charlie had the chance to visit with Tow Mater, ride Toy Story Midway Mania, and experience many other fun attractions throughout the park. One of his absolute favorite places was San Fransokyo Square, where he loved the atmosphere and especially the food. He kept saying how amazing everything tasted.
One of the highlights of the trip might surprise some people — the pizza in Downtown Disney quickly became one of his favorite foods during the visit.
Another unforgettable moment of Charlie’s wish trip was being welcomed at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Charlie was honored in front of the crowd when Queen Luciana and King Ramiro welcomed him as a special guest and announced him as Knight Charles Morgan before the tournament began. Being recognized in such a special way and watching the knights compete while enjoying dinner made the night even more magical for him.
For Charlie, this trip was more than just a vacation. It was a celebration of everything he has overcome after 844 days of fighting leukemia. It was a chance for him to laugh, explore, and simply be a kid after years of hospitals, treatments, and uncertainty.
Our family is incredibly grateful to Make-A-Wish Northeastern & Central California for making this dream possible, and to Charlie’s medical team for guiding him through every step of his journey and helping make sure he was ready to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
After everything Charlie has been through, seeing him smile, explore, and experience the magic of Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Universal Studios is something our family will cherish forever.
Thank you to everyone who supported him and continue to check in and pray for him. His fight is not over. #CharlieStrong
