15-year-old receives trip to Bahamas

It's been one tough year for Karisma Anderson and her family - but now the Make-a-Wish Foundation is making her dream come true.

Karisma and her family, who are from Monahans, will be taking off Sunday to Paradise Island in the Bahamas and will stay until Aug. 2.
"It's been a very crazy year for us, but we've managed to make it with the support," Amy Anderson, Karisma's mother, said. "It's amazing that there's such kind-hearted people out there."

Last April, Karisma, 15, was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma - a softball-sized tumor growing inside her uterus.

"She went through all these surgeries and all, and not once showed she was scared - and I'm sure she was. She's been a tough little girl," Amy Anderson said.

Even with all the surgeries, Karisma's tumor couldn't be completely removed, but doctors were able to shrink her tumor down. By August, Karisma was in remission.

After Karisma was diagnosed, Dr. Joel Weinthal referred her case to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Make-a-Wish accepted Karisma's case and now she's finally getting the break she deserves.

"She finally gets to do something without worrying," Amy Anderson said.

The trip was organized by Make-a-Wish's "wish granters," volunteers who act as liaisons between the foundation and the family.

Tina Corbett, the development director for Make-a-Wish's West Texas regional office, said the volunteers initiated a meeting with Karisma and her mom to figure out the girl's wish.

"They add the magic to the wishes to give the family something beyond anything they can imagine," she said.

And Karisma is getting something only dreams are made of.

On top of going to the Bahamas, Karisma gets to swim with the dolphins and get a walking tour of Atlantis and just lie back on the beach.

But before she leaves, the Make-a-Wish Foundation of North Texas will throw a going-away party on Saturday.

"It's good to let people know there's good support systems out there," Amy Anderson said.