Our 19 year old daughter, Ella, has a treatment resistant form of epilepsy. We’ve seen countless specialists, trialed 18 medications, keto diet and 3 brain surgeries but nothing has worked YET (We have to hold onto some semblance of hope). We had already had an amazing Make-a-Wish trip to Disney when Ella was 6 years of age-but it felt like ages ago.
We really needed something to lift her spirits up, especially with the increase in frequency and intensity of her seizures but we didn’t know what that ‘thing’ was. We can’t leave Ella alone, due to safety concerns from seizures and we were getting the feeling that Ella was ‘over’ us being in her face all the time, holding on to her at all times and fearing letting her ‘just be’. The problem with that, however, is that all teenagers (despite a cognitive impairment) need their own space. This is where the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation came into our lives and we are forever grateful.
With the financial support of the BIL foundation as well as the guidance of both Paula and Julie, we were able to create a place for Ella to hand out safely. Before The Elbow Room was created (Ella elbow bumps people when she first meets them-and the true meaning of an elbow room is to just hang out and do what one wishes, we thought the name captured the essence of the room beautifully), Ella sat on our couch or laid in her bed. That was it. With this new room, Ella is able to safely ‘be’ with triple-padded carpeting, walls and furniture! She can have dance parties and watch tv and even stand up and walk around without us having to be holding on to her! We also have a retractable gate should we need to complete a task (like making dinner) but there is only one of us home.
We LOVE The Elbow Room and all that it has provided our family and we are forever grateful that we discovered this amazing foundation through our local hospital’s palliative care department. Thank you to the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation.
I love attending the Jennabration celebration every year! Hearing the stories of how many wishes are given is so heartwarming and inspiring!
I have been working with Believe in Miracles for the past 10 years, they truly are amazing. I am honored to be a part of the Jennathon 5k committee. Being able to see all of the wishes they have granted over the years isheartwarming. The world definetly needs more people like Paula, Rick and the Kast family.
The Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles foundation has truly touched our hearts. Witnessing the joy and hope for a glimmer of happiness to the recipients and their families, has made a big impact on myself and my family. Being a donor, as well as my wife volunteering for this charity, has been life changing for both of us. BIM is an extremely hard working and compassionate group of men and woman who help to grant wishes for kids that have life threatening illnesses. Life threatening are the words that none of us ever want to hear. The satisfaction of knowing we may be able to help in this small yet huge way is something I wish everyone could feel. The fundraising events are so well attended because the donors know that it is a well-run honest charity. Paula Kast, who is the CEO and founder, is constantly working on fundraising to help more kids. I urge everyone to donate to this charity because your donation money is well utilized for these kids.
We have two teenage boys that were diagnosed with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 8 when they were very young. We've dealt with a lot of medical needs, surgeries, and isolation over the years. The symptoms they experience can make it difficult to attend events that aren't accessible, or that may be too hot or too cold. We receive a pool that has helped increase their ability to socialize, continue relationships and build new ones, especially during the isolated months of summer when school is out. It's very easy to have their classmates come over once or twice just to swim and everyone always has an amazing time. Not only is swimming one of the best physical activities for them, but it has also done wonders mentally and emotionally as well. We can't say thank you enough for the gift Believe In Miracles has given us!
Zoe was diagnosed with a blood disorder at birth which led to bone marrow failure. Believe in miracles foundation was the blessing our family needed after countless hospital stays, infusions and doctor visits. Zoe wished to touch a redwood tree, see a killer whale and play by the Pacific Ocean. Thanks to believe in miracles, we were able to spend a week in Northern California just being a family. Words will never be able to express the amazingness of this trip and the foundation!!
I was diagnosed with cancer in June 2023 & finished treatment February 2024. I am currently in remission and The Believe in Miracles Foundation gave us a wonderful trip to Universal Studios Florida. We had the best time! The foundation was incredible and the staff was so helpful and made the trip so easy.
As a pediatric oncology social worker at a local children's hospital, I have a great appreciation for the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation. They have made some pretty incredible dreams come true for so many of our patients! Examples include "Seeing the ocean", the comfort of a hot tub, the fun and laughter of a trampoline, a once-in-a lifetime concert, a dreamed of Disney vacation, and a warm beach vacation. The list could go on and on! The staff at Believe in Miracles are caring, flexible, responsive in communication, and a true joy to work with. Jenna's legacy lives on through this remarkable organization.
Marijo Bonner M.A.,LBSW
This caring and compassionate organization is such a blessing for so many kids and families going through some of the toughest times in their lives. When our son, Leo, was diagnosed with ALL for the second time, we knew it would be a long, tough road ahead for him and our family. Our social worker passed on the information about Jenna Kast BIM program, which helped provide an additional hope and goal for our son to be able to get excited about being healthy enough to take a trip to a huge water park. His dream to go turned into such a joy to see realized, the smiles and memories we were able to make as a family will never be forgotten. Thank you so much from Meg, Bill, Leo and the whole Loeks family!
My son was diagnosed with cancer in November, It was such an awful experience for him, he was so sick. He started talking to a friend from school who also has cancer, she told him about an amazing experience she had through The Jenna Kast foundation. We signed up for a wish for him and he was choosen!! What a blessing this was!! We went to Tennessee to The Bass Pro Shop and The Memphis Zoo!! It was a great experience and took his mind off of being sick. Julie and Paula are absolutely amazing people ❤ We are so thankful for this nonprofit organization!!
Believe in Miracles orchestrated a truly extraordinary experience for our family during an incredibly challenging time. We wanted to take our ten-year-old son, who is in hospice care, to Great Wolf Lodge, and they made it happen with utmost care and attention to detail. They coordinated every aspect of the trip and even sent thoughtful gift baskets, tee shirts, and even gift cards for gas to ease the burden of travel expenses, which allowed us to focus solely on creating lasting memories.
Our time at Great Wolf Lodge was nothing short of magical. Amidst the laughter and joy, we found precious moments of connection and bonding as a family. The water park and slides provided endless entertainment, captivating our son and his siblings with sheer delight.
Believe in Miracles not only granted us a reprieve from the challenges of our everyday reality but also gifted us with cherished moments of togetherness and joy. For their unwavering kindness and generosity, we are forever grateful.
I have known of the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation since Brett and his friend JD began selling bracelets to raise money for wishes at Larson Middle School as students. I worked in the office there. Jenna was battling her tumor but was involved in the idea of helping others. There was a great deal of support in the community at this small start and to watch how this foundation has grown has been an absolute blessing. I did not have the pleasure of meeting Jenna unfortunately but the Kast family has my respect and admiration as they keep her memory alive by helping so many others battling illness. What better legacy could there be.
I attended the Jenna Kast Believe In Miracles Foundation run this summer.I love the fact that the fundraiser is for a local family. It was very well organized. What impressed me the most was the great turnout and having the young man and his mom speak about what their family is going through. I can't imagine the struggle they are enduring... again. Mom's talk brought tears to my eyes. Such a strong family.I was proud and honored to be able to be a small part of this great community event.. Getting to actually meet the family that is being helped was heartwarming. Wonderful organization!!
Fantastic organization run by a very compassionate and caring family…Rick & Paula Kast. They have helped many children in times of difficulty.
I have known Paula and the Kast family for years. This family is quite amazing in all that they do for others. Through the years, I have become involved in their Jennathon 5K committee, planning and organizing the race each year. Every year I learn more and more about the wish families that the organization helps, and it is quite amazing. A few years ago, a very close friend's daughter was diagnosed with cancer, and Believe in Miracles was right on it, helping her through the trying times. (Happy to say she just graduated college by the way!) What they do for these children and their families is amazing. I wholeheartedly recommend this amazing organization.
My family had never heard of the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation before April of this year. My son, Ethan, a day after his 21 st birthday had an MRI that showed he had multiple brain tumors. The prognosis wasn't very good, but we kept our faith that he would have good results with treatment. Ethan started Proton radiation and chemotherapy in early April. The social worker at Children's Hospital came into Ethan's room while he was getting a transfusion and asked if he would be interested in a 2nd wish. I told her I had never heard of that before. Ethan got a big smile on his face and said "yes!"
After that it all happened very quickly. Paula Kast called me and we talked for an hour. She was so kind and asked questions about Ethan and the rest of our family. Ethan's wish was to go to Las Vegas. Paula told me she would start the process of granting his wish and within weeks, she told us that Ethan's wish world be happening. Our family of 4 (my husband, myself, Ethan and his younger brother) were picked up in a limo, taken to the airport and flew to Las Vegas! It was such an amazing trip. Ethan had always been very lucky when it comes to playing games with dice. He always says "you know I'm lucky" and we would tell him we should take you to Vegas. We believe this where his idea to go to Vegas came from. On our 2nd day there, his very first bet on the roulette table, he won! We hadn't seen him smile that big in a very long time.
We also took him to the shark reef aquarium, which we all loved. We went to see the America's Got Talent show at our hotel and we had a fantastic time.
Creating family memories on this trip was the best gift. We are so grateful to the Believe In Miracles Foundation and staff for giving us this opportunity to spend time together to a place where we would not have had the opportunity to go. What an amazing organization with wonderful people!
Recently I watched the staff and volunteers of JK Believe in Miracles in action at the 2023 Jennathon 5K run/walk. Paula and the staff were impressive; the event was well-implemented and fun!! Several wish heroes and their families were there as well. We all had a great time running, walking, and eating pancakes. This is an amazing foundation that truly fulfill its mission of bringing joy and happiness into the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions. I wholeheartedly endorse this organization.
My experience with the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation was fantastic! They first reached out to me while I was receiving treatment, and granted me a trip to Washington, D.C. with my mom. Our trip to D.C. was great, and we spent 5 nights visiting the many attractions of the city, including The White House and The Washington Monument. Throughout the wish granting process, Paula and Michaela were extremely friendly and supportive. Overall, it was a great experience!
This organization is amazing. Through their generosity, our family was able to take a trip to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. It was an awesome trip. It allowed us to get away from the craziness of the special needs life for a short time. We were able to spend a lot of time outdoors, which my son absolutely loves. The area is beautiful. We concluded our trip by visiting the Ark Encounter. Thank you, Believe in Miracles, for allowing us to make so many memories.
Our daughter, Anaiah, has a bone marrow failure disorder and will be needing a transplant in the next two months. We will be in the hospital and in an apartment near the hospital for the first 100 days. We will also need to redo her bedroom at home so we can get rid of her old carpet and make it clean and fun for her to thrive when we get home. She will be spending a lot of time there while her immune system recovers. We were stressed because we don't have any extra funds at the moment. When we heard about Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles we had some hope! They were amazing. We told them our situation and they were on board and helping so quickly! They suggested a shopping spree where we could get all of the things needed to make her hospital stay a bit more fun and remodel her room to make it more appropriate for her depleted immune system. They were so quick and
organized! Anaiah was so excited when we told her the news! She asked me every day when her "Shopping Spring" would be here. On the day of the spree, the driver came and we loaded up for such a fun day! She got to pick out her dream bed (a house shaped loft bed with a slide!). She also decided on some cute bedding, decorations, and floors. We got so many toys and snacks. Best of all she got a laptop so she can see her sister, her three brothers, and her Dad while we are away. She felt like she owned the world. What a blessing to be able to do these things for her when we otherwise would not have been able. Believe in Miracles really is just that....a miracle. God is so good.
The Believe in Miracles Foundation is exactly what it's name is, A Miracle! My 5 year old daughter, Maci, who fought stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma with a CNS relapse was able to have her wish come true and go to Disney World! It was a truly magical trip and we will forever be grateful to the Believe in Miracles Foundation for giving her a much needed family vacation! Where she could experience the magic of being a kid and not have to worry about any pokes, scans, medicine, or hospitals. Paula and all the employees made sure everything was perfect for our trip. They even went above and beyond sending birthday and Christmas gifts, care packages, and a count down calendar for Maci leading up to her trip. Maci got to visit Minnie and all her favorite princess and we made memories that will stay in our hearts and minds forever. We can't thank the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation enough for making this miracle come true for our family!
We are so blessed to have been connected with this organization through hospice. Our daughter’s condition significantly improved allowing us to be granted a second wish - to travel. The Believe in Miracles team coordinated a wonderful trip for us and our family really taking in our daughter’s special accommodations. It was so easy, I truly did not have to plan a thing. They made it so easy just for us to enjoy our time. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to take our girl somewhere special and make these memories.
Believe in Miracles fully lives their mission of bringing hope, joy and love into the lives of those they serve. It is a great blessing to be a small part of this organization as a donor and volunteer. They do for these families what we all wish in our hearts we could do for them.
Previous Stories
I have worked in the non-profit world for nearly 30 years. What I truly appreciate about Believe in Miracles is that they are both volunteer driven and client centered. They look at the needs and wants of each child and their family. Each wish is created specifically for them. The roots of the foundation are planted in a community which supports the mission and gets involved.
Memphiss' Disney trip with his large family was unforgettable. We all had the best time and made the best memories. We are beyond grateful for this experience and everything Jenna Kast Believe In Miracles Foundation did for us!
My son was granted his wish to travel to Las Vegas to eat all the yummy food and enjoy the magnificent hotels. It was a trip of a lifetime! The thought and care we were shown by Believe in Miracles was off the charts. So, so grateful!
Our story started in early August of 2020 right before my sons 6th birthday. My son had been experiencing headaches and in the last month before diagnosis he was very lethargic and vomited often. We had taken him to the doctor/ER numerous times and it always got chalked up to being something different than what it really was. Finally, my sons dad took him to the ER and begged them to do a CT scan. They did and that is when our lives changed forever. They found a huge mass on my sons brain that was wrapped around the brain stem. From there my son was transferred to Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital. I was in the ambulance with him and his dad followed behind in his car. He had so much pressure build up surrounding his brain they said we were lucky we took him in when we did. That night he went into surgery to have a drain put into his brain to drain all the followed. The very next day he underwent a 12 hour long brain surgery to remove the tumor. That was the longest day of my life. He was the first one in, and the last one out. He was diagnosed with Ependymoma (brain/spine cancer).
My son has gone through over 60 radiation treatments, Chemo, he has had 5 surgeries, one recurrence 6 months after initial diagnosis, so many hospital stays and needle pokes I can’t keep track of them. So many pills and medicine. A little over a year ago he lost his mobility and is no longer able to use the bathroom on his own. He is now in a wheelchair and wears pull-ups. He has been off treatment since early May and his scans since then have all been stable! My boy is the sweetest human being on this planet. He has been through SO much in his 8 years of life.
The Jenna Kast Believe In Miracles was able to give this boy and our whole family the trip of a life time to Disney World! We stayed at Give Kids The World Village which was a dream in its own. I can’t thank Believe In Miracles for all they have done for my family! ♥️
My experience with this organization was Gods Will. My experience and the outcome of it will never be forgotten. I am the first to write a book with them, with the help of Paula and more.. But while I was yet figuring out myself how to Execute this project I had this organization to help me in that process. I was never alone. The love and support through that journey was God and authentic. Writing my book was one thing but with the help of the people of God was another I couldn’t have done it without God and his vessels. If anyone wants to experience authentic genuine loving people I 100% recommend this foundation.
Out of a deep gratitude for the health of my own children, I have been attending and supporting fundraisers for the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation for a number of years. This organization was founded by a family who knows first hand how important it is to bring a sense of normalcy and joy into the lives of children who are undergoing treatment for life threatening and life changing illnesses. Their own daughter, Jenna, was the inspiration for Believe in Miracles, and their love for her is at its core. At times children dream of going on a special trip and at other times they dream of owning a special toy that brings some relief to their difficult days, and Believe in Miracles helps to make these dreams come true. It is a tremendous honor to support this amazing family and foundation, and to participate in their vision of transforming their own sorrow into joy for others.
Lydia's journey with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) started 5 years ago when she was 3. In June of 2019 she had finished a long 2 years of chemotherapy and thought we could finally get back to normal life and we had closed this horrific chapter in our lives. Flash forward to Feburary of 2022 she relapsed with ALL and a tumor behind her eye. Since her relapse we have had many visits to the hospital and multiple long stays for chemo that runs non stop for days. She's a strong girl and gets through it like a champ but I know she just wants to feel like a normal kid again. When Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles came in to our lives, not to long ago, they help Lydia be able to do just that. She wished for a swimming pool in our back yard. They wasted no time granting Lydia's wish and before we knew it Lydia was enjoying her pool! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Where do I begin!? What the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles organization did for our family was amazing to say the least! My daughter is 16yrs old and was born with heart disease. At 9yrs old she had a heart transplant and has pretty much struggled the past 7yrs with many admissions. Unfortunately her heart is sick again and she is being listed for another transplant. Our days are filled with appointments and she never really gets a break so when the Believe in Miracle organization stepped in and sent her on a shopping spree, I've never seen a smile so big! Words can not express how grateful and blessed we are to be able to experience such a great time. Thank you so very much for putting a smile on my daughter's face (and mine ) and giving her the opportunity to just be a normal teenager. On behalf of the family of Malea Hill, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
When my son JT was diagnosed at the age of 17 with VHR (very high risk) Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia our lives came to a stand still. Because of his age and size, some of his chemo medications had to be doubled if not tripled and we almost lost him twice that 1st year.
He stayed strong and fought hard, graduated with honors..never let his cancer take the lead over his life!
He had always dreamed of taking a roadtrip out to Cali, to explore everything in between and by time he was in remission and maintenance therapy he had aged out of most wish granting organizations.
Paula and Michaela came in and did everything they could to help make this happen. With their help, we rented a van and set course for the west coast. With stops at Mt Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Idependance rock and crazy horse on the way to Santa Monica beach where he got to hold his 3day old cousin.
There were many more stops to make on our journey home, so many more places to explore. JT had the time of his life traveling with his 4 siblings, making unforgettable memories and we have Believe in Miracles to thank!
No words can express our appreciation and gratitude for this organization!
Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles foundation is beyond amazing! Austin has been living with this chronic illness all his life. He didn’t come home from the hospital until he was 8 months old. Austin has been in and out of the hospital ever since. He has had countless surgeries, and in and out patient procedures. This organization granted Austin’s wish, and he was able to go on a shopping spree! He was so stoked! The organizers were outstanding, and very attentive to our families needs! The day was memorable! Thank you to all of organizers, and volunteers that go above and beyond!
04/03/2020
I would like to start with saying that the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation is a spectacular nonprofit looking out for children with life threatening/changing illnesses! Bi-lateral Wilm's tumor and mitral valve regurgitation - both of which were corrected through invasive surgery in Gaven's case. During the rise of the Covid19 illness in the spring of 2020 and the lockdowns, quarantines and employment losses, JKBIM offered a shopping spree to our son Gaven in the form of Visa gift cards that could be used in online stores since traveling and shopping were out of the question or a one year subscription to Disney+ or A Package of Fun which would be a list of our son's interest/activities, such games, books, puzzles & crafts. Gaven's interests were into computers and he chose the shopping spree to get some components for his desktop computer. Gaven is very appreciative and thankful for the generosity of the many people that have donated gifts not only to him, but all other children that have had the great experience of working with the Jenna Kast Believe In Miracles Foundation!
JK Believe in Miracles came into our lives in February of 2012. My son, who suffers from a rare auto immune disease and 21 at the time, was granted a trip to NYC to see Alisha Keys. It was a dream come true for him, and took us all so far away from the day to day "medical stuff" that we were dealing with every day. Since then, I have been volunteering for them, from weekly visits to their office, or helping at fundraisers. This organization is so well deserved of this award, from the way it is run, to the hundreds of smiles it has put on so many children's and their family's faces! It is truly a great, great non-profit!
Believe in Miracles is an outstanding foundation. They made my daughter's wish come true. they paid attention to details of all aspects of the wish and make sure that the wish child and the whole family are taken care of. Paula came to my house and met my daughter and the whole family. The wish was beyond what we expected, My family was able to enjoy a fun trip and feel "normal" for 5 days. The memories will live with us forever.
Thank you so much for all you do and continue to do to support families going through grave illness with their loved ones.
I have been a volunteer for BIM for many years, helping with wishes and events. The Foundation is nothing short of amazing. Each gift is carefully planned to meet the needs and wishes of the child – bringing JOY and making memories is the goal. Events to raise funds are heartwarming and fun. The Exec Director and Board do a great job staying true to their mission and spend each dollar carefully to maximize all funds. I am thankful to be able to give back to such a fabulous organization!
My daughter, Caroline was granted a wish trip through Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation. Her journey with cancer began in January of 2017. This was the same year that Believe in Miracles was sponsored by Athens High School for their annual charity week. When Caroline was diagnosed this organization embraced our family with so much love and support. Once Caroline was well, they sent us to Southern California for a week of fun, adventure and relaxation. We visited all the sights of Los Angelos followed by a relaxing resort in San Diego. It was a week we will never forget and will forever be grateful.
I have volunteered quite a few times with wishes and special charity events. The looks on the recipients' and their families faces is priceless. The teams we create for each event work so well together and really have that same goal in mind...to help make a beautiful memory for these families. I love being a part of Believe in Miracles
Our son, Thomas, was granted a wish through Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles to meet Brad Paisley. It was an awesome experience that Thomas (and the rest of us) really enjoyed - from the fun limo ride to the fantastic seats. They helped to create a fantastic memory that we cherish to this day! Everytime I hear a Brad Paisley song, it brings me back to an incredible experience !
This is an amazing charity. Every wish is carefully thought out to bring the most joy to each recipient. The fundraisers are implemented well, fun and there is something for everyone to participate in.
Shout out this foundation because they deserved to have a five star, We met paula tru our social worker Linda the moment she introduced us we knew they will make difference in my son’s life and to the people that needs support and love.Theyve given Andric special treatment and arranged a vacation upnorth to go to michigan adventure and little did we know that when we arrived in our hotel, the manager and coordinator greeted us and make us vip , they’ve even arranged us to go to a rodeo event and more special treatment was given to him. We are very lucky and Andric as well because he had experience this trip . They’re amazing and really touch people lives and extend help.Thank you so much to Believe in Miracles Foundation Jenna Kast for this opportunity.
You guys helped my brother with his wish and it made him very happy and you guys were very supportive and i can’t thank you guys enough !❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I was just starting my treatments just finished my radiation treatments and graduated high school I felt like happy but kinda of a little down, I was just starting my chemo treatments and didn’t know what to expect in then Believe in Miracles surprised me with my wish that really helped me feel ready with everything I was about to go through I’m forever grateful and in my opinion they deserve more five stars thank you so much