Makenna's Journey: A Brave Heart on the Path to Healing
Miracle Story
At just 10 years old, Makenna Lai from Las Vegas, NV has shown incredible strength in the face of adversity. Diagnosed with Stage 4 high-risk Neuroblastoma at the age of 5, Makenna has been courageously battling cancer for the past five years. Miracle Flights has been a constant source of support throughout Makenna’s journey, providing her family with six round-trip flights to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Her mother, Samantha, shares, “Miracle Flights means that we don’t have to worry about getting our daughter to and from her medical treatments. It’s a huge weight lifted off our shoulders.” Describing Makenna’s personality, Samantha says, “She’s sharp-witted and very mature for her age but can also be super silly. She’s been an absolute rockstar dealing with her cancer diagnosis and all the treatments she’s had over the past three years. She is outgoing, friendly, and goofy.”
In 2024, Makenna proudly served as the SOARee’ Child Ambassador for Miracle Flights, representing resilience and hope for children facing serious medical challenges. Some of Makenna’s favorite things include spaghetti, Smarties candy, and the color turquoise. When it comes to activities, she loves playing solitaire, and if she could choose any restaurant, it would be Delizia. As she dreams of the future, Makenna wants to become a chef, and her favorite superhero is Wonder Woman—a perfect match for her own inner strength. Makenna also has a special love for flying. One of her proudest milestones was “ringing the bell” after completing her radiation treatment—a significant moment in her fight, though not the end of her treatment journey. Miracle Flights will continue to stand by Makenna and her family as they fight for her life, ensuring she has the support she needs to keep moving forward. We are honored to be part of Makenna's journey and look forward to seeing her soar.
