Six-year-old Aurora twins Amar and Ameer Franklin are two tough little boys.
Born with sickle cell disease, the brothers have spent countless days hooked up to machines, staring into the eyes of concerned doctors. They’ve endured blood transfusions and MRIs, and continue to see their health decline.
“They’ve been going through a lot,” Necole Jackson, the twins’ mother said. “Next week they’ll go through even more.”
But all of that was put on hold Friday evening, thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation and members of the Aurora Fire Department who threw the twins a sixth birthday party they’ll never forget.
It was an evening filled with family and fanfare, and one that weeks were spent planning and perfecting.
“They’re going to be talking about this for years to come,” Jackson said with a wide smile.
For the boys, who grew up dreaming of donning a fireman’s gear, the wish was an easy one to grant, said Julienne Lentz. Lentz, along with husband Ron, began volunteering for Make A Wish 22 years.
The Naperville couple, who couldn’t have children of their own, decided to give back by granting the wishes of sick boys and girls.
“It’s fun for us when we get to be part of a wish,” she said. “We love being with the families and feeling like we’re making a difference.”
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And, that difference was clear when the Lentzs saw the look of awe and surprise in Amar and Ameer’s eyes when they entered Station 8 in Aurora Friday evening.
Julienne Lentz had spent hours decorating the garage, where tables were set up beside red fire trucks.
Pint-sized uniforms were purchased for the boys, who quickly donned them and walked around the station blowing their whistles and speaking into their plastic walkie-talkies.
“Chow’s on!” they got to shout over the loudspeaker before dinner was served.
“We want them to enjoy themselves,” Jackson said. “Next week they’ll go through a lot.”
With new bikes and computer tablets for the boys, and a specialty cake big enough to feed the entire station, there was no detail spared.
Nearly a dozen firefighters were on hand to help the boys ring in the big day.
They baked homemade pizzas — a firehouse tradition — and drank lemonade as they sat at immaculately decorated tables.
Before they left, each boy was designated an honorary firefighter with the department.
In a different setting, Amar and Ameer might look like very sick boys, but on Friday, that was the farthest thing from the truth.
They smiled happily as they celebrated with their brothers, parents and grandmother, as well as their firefighter heroes.
“They’re fighters,” the boys’ father Edward Beasley said. “It’s hard. They hate doctors’ appointments, but for them, it’s easy. They’re always in it. But, it’s nice to be able to relax and eat some pizza. It’s a great thing for them.”