Donations & Pledges
Magen's
Wish
Magen loved the water. Her whole life, she said being wet made her feel better.
Swimming and swim team were her passions, breaststroke was her specialty, and the Chester Pool was her special place.
Until she was 16. That's when Magen died as a result of a peripheral neural ectodermal tumor. Cancer.
While undergoing aggressive chemotherapy at the Children's Hospital in Seattle, Magen received a query from the Montana Hope Project: "If money were no object, what would your wish be?" A few weeks later, Montana Hope representatives visited Magen's hospital room. She knew what she wanted - a new swimming pool for Chester.
They were touched by her request but explained that their policy requires the granting of something that will benefit her personally. Magen then decided a laptop computer would help her bide time in the hospital. Her computer arrived shortly thereafter.
On Magen's 16th birthday, her mom and dad, Tonia and Steve, took her out for dinner. She told them that night, "If I have to die young, I'm glad it is this way rather than a sudden accident....you know I hate surprises!"
Magen died August 25, 1997, but her name and her wish live on. Six years later, Magen's brother, Jason, joined the Montana Highway Patrol, which sponsors the Montana Hope Project. Magen's family attended the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol and noticed something by happenstance: Magen's name was engraved on the walkway memorial as a Hope recipient. It seemed that Magen entrusted her family with carrying on her dream.
The year Magen would have turned 23, her mother placed the following remembrance in the paper:
These are the things I remember most: She called me Mommy when she needed me. She called me Mother when she was irritated with me. She felt lucky to have the support of family. She was glad this hadn't happened to her friends. She never said "why me?" She believed everyone is allotted so much pain to endure in his or her life, and she believed she used her allotment up. She defended the underdog. She wished for a new pool for the community. Being wet made her feel better. She believed in traditions and discipline. She always asked for spaghetti for her birthday supper. We had spaghetti again this year. We miss you Magen.
The Hi-Line Pool and Recreation Foundation is firmly committed to making "Magen's Wish" come true.
by Dawn Wickum
The Montana Hope Project Web Site!
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