When the Make-A-Wish Foundation seeks to grant wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses, meetings with sports stars and trips to theme parks usually are among the requests.
Wilson Andrews would rather go fishing.
Friday, the 16-year-old from Bonesteel stocked up on supplies at Cabela's in Mitchell, thanks to a $2,500 shopping spree provided by Make-A-Wish.
"It was either this or a big-screen TV and a bunch of games, but I chose this," he said. "There's a lot more stuff to choose from here."
Andrews has lupus, an autoimmune disease that can affect the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain. It causes the immune system to make antibodies directed at itself, and it can be life-threatening.
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After he was diagnosed with the disease, a family member told Andrews about Make-A-Wish. The proper paperwork was filled out by his family and doctor and weeks later, he learned that his dream of a Cabela's shopping spree would come true.
His father, Kevin, said Wilson has been fishing since he was a year old. The opportunity for the teen to load up on supplies was "great."
"It's making him happy to get all of this stuff," Kevin Andrews said. "He loves the outdoors."
The younger Andrews spent two hours Friday morning loading up carts with everything from a six-person raft to a case of beef jerky. He chose a collar, food, shampoo and a camouflage vest for his 4-month-old pit bull, Chaos.
Kevin Andrews said his son's life has undergone many changes since the diagnosis. Wilson will have to take between eight and 10 different medications daily for the rest of his life. He receives monthly treatments in Sioux Falls and has blood taken twice a month.
Through it all, Kevin Andrews said his son has kept a positive attitude.
"Sometimes he gets frustrated with it, but that's normal," he said. "He still goes to school and stays active."
Local Make-A-Wish board member Dale Odegaard said seeing Andrews' smiling face Friday morning during the shopping spree made the process worthwhile.
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"This is probably the most rewarding board I've ever been on because it's just amazing what you see," Odegaard said. "It's a fantastic program."
Odegaard said he hopes news of the shopping wish-come-true will encourage others to contact the Make-A-Wish program.
"We want people to know that if they have a child that has a life-threatening disease, we want to grant them a wish," he said. "We're there to help and we've never turned anybody down that was qualified."
Most of the items Wilson Andrews received Friday will have to wait until the spring to be used. Warm weather can be difficult for him, because he has to wear long sleeves and extra sun block during the summer months.
He plans to use two new sleds during the winter. Now that he's loaded with equipment, he expects more people to ask to accompany him during fishing trips.
That doesn't bother him a bit.
"I'm just going to tell them to pile in the boat," he said.
