Jesus Orozco-Vasquez fell ill at age 4 and took years to recover. On Tuesday, he got to be a security chief, an astronaut and a VIP at The Gardens Mall.
PALM BEACH GARDENS – Nothing could prevent Jesus Orozco-Vasquez from having his lifelong wish granted – not his age, not COVID, not even his past cancer diagnosis – but he had no clue.
The 10-year-old-boy has long dreamed about being a famous police officer and receiving the ultimate A-list celebrity treatment. But his 2015 diagnosis of high-risk leukemia and the 2020 COVID-19 global shutdown put those hopes on hold.
Joana Orozco, 24, has been anticipating this day for over a year. She says with all of the challenges that her brother’s diagnosis has brought, there was a point where she didn’t think his wish would ever be fulfilled.
“During that time was the most difficult thing our family ever went through. Emotionally, we were just all over the place, mentally as well,” she said. “We didn’t even bother to think of a wish. We didn’t even think we would have that possibility.”
PBSO, Martin sheriffs offer limousine escort to Gardens Mall
The nonprofit Children’s Wish Foundation has granted these wishes since 1985, helping severely ill children experience life to the fullest.
To his surprise, more than 30 deputies from the Palm Beach and Martin County sheriff’s offices escorted him and his family by motorcycle from their home in chappy free app Stuart to the mall motorcade-style as they rode in a limousine.
Upon his arrival, mall security and the “Secret Service” – well, the mall’s security dressed up in all black – lined the entryway, applauding and cheering as he made his way into the building. His smile and leaps of joy foreshadowed the events to come.
Jesus was made head of mall security and given a security hat to make the promotion official. His first order of business involved heading to the Command Center, where he had the opportunity to dispatch calls and watch the video footage of his arrival. Continue reading