Teens battling cancer get VIP experience at Lollapalooza
CHICAGO - Lollapalooza is just two days away, and dreams are coming true for two teenagers battling cancer.
Make-A-Wish and Vivid Seats have partnered to provide them with a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Windy City.
Cole Schanda, a 13-year-old boy from Florida who has leukemia, and Zavannah Lara, a 16-year-old girl from California who was diagnosed with rhabdoid tumors, have been presented with four-day VIP passes to the mega music festival.
"Think about it, when you have hope, you feel much, much stronger, and you feel much better about tomorrow, and that’s what we’re trying to do, make sure tomorrow is a good day," said Stephanie Springs, CEO of Make-A-Wish Illinois.
Soon after Schanda arrived in Chicago, he was welcomed to Vivid Seats’ headquarters in the Loop on Tuesday. There, he was greeted with a parade of posters made by employees, and presented with VIP passes – granting him premium access during the four-day festival.
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Lara was also set to join the party, but unfortunately her flight was delayed. Still, she is on the way, and will make it to Chicago in time to take in the full VIP Lollapalooza experience.
"It gives them hope that there’s a community of people who are supporting them and it actually makes them stronger," said Springs.
It’s a chance for the teens to take their minds off of treatment and recovery.
"It’s going to mean a lot to me, because it’s going to be one of the best weekends of my life," said Cole Schanda.
Schanda recently finished chemo treatments for leukemia. As he rang the bell at the hospital, he found out his wish was being granted by Make-A-Wish and Vivid Seats.
"We were finishing months and months of treatment, and just to cap it off with what’s next, it was awesome, really great," said Gwen Schanda, Cole’s mom.
"We’re just really privileged to be a part of their journey and being able to bring some joy to their lives," said Stan Chia, Vivid Seats CEO.
The welcome party was just the start of a fabulous and fun-filled trip to Chicago.
"I didn’t expect any of this so when I came up, I loved it, it was the best welcome I could ever get," said Cole Schanda.
Schanda said music helped him through some of his most difficult days while battling cancer.
"I became a KPop fan while I was in the hospital, and it really got me through the cancer. I played their music all the time and hung up their posters in my hospital room," said Cole Schanda.
Schanda and Lara’s friends and family members will also be joining them for the exclusive experience.
Gates to Lollapalooza open Thursday-Sunday at 11 a.m. and close each night at 10 p.m.