Make-A-Wish Staff Member Fund-Races Her Way Into the Star Wars Rival Run Half Marathon

Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida staff member, Jaclyn Ferland, is on her way to the Star Wars Rival Run Half Marathon on Sunday, April 7. She has been a staff member with the organization for almost a full year and is excited to combine her passion for granting wishes with her passion for running. We sat down with Jaclyn for a quick Q&A to learn more about her story.

Q: Why Make-A-Wish®?

Jaclyn: Make-A-Wish has a great mission and I have been able to see firsthand the impact it has on the lives of children right here in our community. I have met families and the children who have received a wish, and their smiles say it all. I am proud to work for an organization that helps families find a bright spot in all the darkness they are experiencing. I am proud to be a part of the wish journey.

Q: What made you want to run the Star Wars Rival Run Half Marathon?

Jaclyn: Honestly, I love setting a goal and having to build up the mental and physical strength to achieve it. Also, no one does Disney like Disney. I ran the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon in 2016 and I have wanted to do another one since. I have seen our wish kids meet different Star Wars characters so when I found out that Make-A-Wish was the celebrated charity for this race it seemed like the perfect time to start training again.

Q: What do you think the benefits of building mental and physical strength can be?

Jaclyn: For me, I have felt the rush of achieving a goal that I have worked hard towards. For Make-A-Wish, I have also seen what motivation and hope can do for someone battling a critical illness. There are proven medical statistics that show that giving a child a wish – something to look forward to – can help improve their mental and physical health. If I can feel that rush from training to run a Half Marathon, just think what that motivation can do for a critically ill child? That’s why I will the race. To help ensure that more and more children can receive the life-changing benefits of a wish - and to maybe see a character or two along the way!

Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida is the celebrated charity of the 2019 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend.