Like many other teenage girls, 18-year-old Lauran loves to hang out with her friends and watch her favorite TV show Friends. She adores actress Reese Witherspoon and loves all of her movies, especially Sweet Home Alabama. However, unlike many young ladies her age she faces daily challenges from FSGS disease, a life-threatening condition that attacks the kidney’s filtering system.

As a reprieve from the pain and uncertainty of her illness, she was given the magical opportunity to be anyone, go anywhere, have anything or meet any person through the Make-A-Wish Foundation^®. Lauran’s wish came true in January when she and her family took a tranquil vacation to Hawaii.

Lauran’s wish was adopted by Gainesway Farms and she and her family participated in Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland. They were able to meet representatives from the farm and enjoy a day full of horse races and excitement.

Before Lauran and her family were whisked away to Hawaii, they enjoyed a wish party complete with Hawaiian themed decorations complements of Bravo!. The wait staff was even dressed in Hawaiian attire for the day surprised Lauran with a special bon voyage gift.

After Lauran returned home, she and her mother wrote touching notes to Gainesway Farms and the Make-A-Wish Foundation:

“I had so much fun! All the activities that you made happen, the helicopter ride, horseback riding and the luau, were awesome! It was a dream come true! We got to see so much natural beauty from the air and land. This trip was such a great getaway from my treatments and actually helped my doctor decide to change the treatment from three times a week to two.

It was such a blessing to be able to experience everything you provided for us. The scenery was so beautiful! I want to say another thanks for everything it was the best vacation ever,” wrote Lauran.

“We had a wonderful time and it was hard having to come back home. Actually, I wanted to move over there after the trip and live on the beach for the rest of our lives! It was so beautiful. Thanks so much for everything you have done for us to make Lauran's trip the best ever,” wrote Lauran’s Mom.