Make-A-Wish: From hospitals to happiness, Kayden’s wish trip delivers Disney magic

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A heart condition has tested Kayden Santiago-Iverson’s strength, but spend any time with the Alaskan, and one quickly learns his humor, imagination and unstoppable spirit truly define him.

Born with a rare and serious congenital heart defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Kayden’s life has been anything but ordinary.

At just 5 days old, the now 10-year-old faced his first open heart surgery. The left side of his heart does not function properly, and as his mother, Elizabeth, explained, “It’s never going to be fixed and it’s never going to be treated.”

Despite undergoing multiple open-heart surgeries and enduring countless medical procedures since birth, Kayden approaches life with contagious enthusiasm. His mom stays strong for him, knowing that her perseverance helps fuel his own.

“It’s like, to have him see someone that doesn’t want to give up no matter what, so then he is like, ‘OK, we don’t have to give up, there is other options.’”

And Kayden is not giving up. He’s dreaming bigger than ever.

With a personality that lights up every room, Kayden’s ultimate wish was to visit “The Most Magical Place On Earth”, Disney World, in Orlando, Florida.

Thanks to Make-A-Wish Alaska, that dream came true.

“When we were at Give Kids The World Village, he didn’t have any social awkwardness,” his mom said. “Like, (normally) when he’s talking to other kids, he doesn’t know what to say, doesn’t know how to talk.

“And when we went there, he was just a natural, just talked to every kid, went up to every family and got to be like himself and be a kid. His normal was their normal.”

Now back home, Kayden still talks about his Disney adventure. And while his medical journey continues, including a future heart transplant, his spirit is as strong as ever.

For his mom, the trip was not just about one magical moment, but about helping her son live the best and biggest life he possibly can.

“Based off of how he shows he is, he’s going to have a wonderful life ahead of him,” she said.

As Kayden himself would say on his future YouTube channel: “Thank you for giving me what I want. Thank you for giving all the other kids what they want.”

If you’d like to help make more wishes come true for children facing critical illnesses, consider donating your unused airline miles by clicking here to Make-A-Wish Alaska and help us reach one million miles!

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com

Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.