A critically ill Parkland girl saw her wish come true Friday when she received a customized golf cart equipped to play her favorite jams.
Alessandra Marinelli, a nonverbal four-year-old currently battling leukemia, was gifted the sleek new ride from Make-A-Wish Southern Florida during a celebration at her family’s home.
Alessandra, who loves riding around her Parkland neighborhood, took her maiden voyage in the cart with mom Rachel DiGiovanni and stepdad David Marinelli. The seafoam-colored vehicle features futuristic roof lights that change colors, custom seats, and a sound bar for playing all the music Marinelli loves.
“I’m so happy for you,” DiGiovanni told her daughter as they cruised the block. “Do you love your new golf cart?”
Alessandra, looking pretty in a pink dress with a pink bow in her hair, smiled her approval. She especially seemed to like the custom lights on her new whip, which was built by Good Guys Golf Carts.
The stylish gift was a well-deserved treat for Alessandra, who valiantly battled leukemia during treatment at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando – where she spent an entire year – as well as during her current, outpatient treatment at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood and West Boca Medical Center.
Alessandra also received several months of inpatient treatment when she was younger at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
“The golf cart is amazing. It’s giving us some beautiful moments, and the joy of seeing those smiles from Alessandra are priceless,” DiGiovanni said. “We are so grateful to our Make-A-Wish fairy godmothers – Wish Granters Shelby Reubens and Natalia Tomaszewska – for helping make this all happen. Alessandra has had some fresh air, outdoors, wind in her hair, and sun on her face. She’s loving it.”
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses at no cost to their families.
Send your news to Parkland’s #1 Award-Winning News Source, Parkland Talk. Don’t Miss Tamarac Talk, Coral Springs Talk, Coconut Creek Talk, and Margate Talk.
Author Profile
Related
NewsFebruary 7, 2025Parkland Girl Fighting Leukemia Gets Sleek New Golf Cart From Make-A-Wish Southern Florida
NewsJanuary 23, 2025Mother of MSD Teacher Killed in Shooting Blasts President Trump for Shuttering Anti-Gun Violence Office
NewsJanuary 16, 2025Parkland Boys Help Rescue Dog Trapped in Canal
NewsJanuary 15, 2025Thieves Target Electronics in Parkland’s Pine Trails and Terramar Parks, BSO Warns Residents
