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Charissa’s Story The element that causes a person to transform into a Hanson fan is a little thing commonly called inspiration. Hanson has an incredibly ability to spark such inspiration in their listeners, and because of this, fans have coined their own term. These are stories of “Hanspiration” that not only need to be told, but thanks to the Hanson.net Gazette, will be told. The first fan to be profiled held the inspiration that Hanson provided her with right up until the end. At twelve-years-old, Charissa was diagnosed with chronic renal failure, meaning that she needed a kidney. Due to this, she was given the opportunity to have her one wish granted by the Dreamwish Foundation. Charissa’s wish, in spite of all the possibilities, was to meet Isaac, Taylor, and Zac. This proved to be a harder wish than most to grant. In order to make Charissa’s wish come true, her Dreamwish sponsor had to find a way to contact the correct people on Hanson’s side. Because this seemed an impossible task for one sponsor alone, other people involved with Dreamwish offered a helping hand. With the added assistance, word finally found its way to Hanson. That fateful day occurred on August 6, 1998, the Nashville date of the Albertane Tour. Charissa’s Dreamwish sponsor set up accommodations at a nice hotel and even had a limo ready as transportatoin. They were then whisked away to the Starwood Amphitheatre. The meeting was to occur during the meet and greet before the show actually started. Charissa, her mother, and her little sister, Kristen, had an hour’s wait in the line, but they had no complaints once they reached the Hanson brothers. Hanson’s first reactions were to give both Charissa and Kristen hugs. It was not until Ms. Samples thanked the boys for allowing Charissa’s wish to be granted that Isaac, Taylor, and Zac realized who she was. Upon finding out that Charissa was, in fact, the kidney patient that had gone through the Dreamwish Foundation to meet them, the guys spent extra time with her, saying they were proud to have helped out in any way possible. All good things must end, however, and the meet and greet was one of these things. But the fun was not over yet. Charissa and her family had also been provided with third row seats for the performance. Ms. Samples was in awe at the talent the boys possessed after seeing them on-stage. “The show was fantastic,” she shared enthusiasticly. “I have to admit that they even won us parents over! Very talented young men they are, but of course, Charissa already knew that.” Near the end of the show, Zac whipped out the water guns he is trademark for and began soaking the audience. Charissa delighted in this, admitting that she never wanted to dry off. When the show ended, Charissa, her mother, and her sister went back to the limo not only with a lifesize poster and t-shirts, but hearts full of memories. Ms. Samples believes that Hanson, both their influence through their music and the opportunity to meet them, had a major impact on Charissa’s life. “The Hansons will never know just how special they are to our family. They made a very sick young lady feel so very special.” It was not until Christmas Even 2000 that Charissa’s kidney transplant finally occurred. Due to complications, Charissa lost the fight with kidney cancer at age fifteen. Charissa’s mother would like her fellow Hanson fans and friends to know that her daughter’s happiness and appreciation for life never faded as a result of her cancer. During her last years, she refused to allow people to feel even the slightest hint of pity for her. She is known as “a real fighter” even appearing on national television to promote organ donation twelve hours after her surgery took place. “She was a very special young lady, and we have the best of memories, including her very special day with Hanson. Thank you, Hanson, and may God bless you for your kindness and making a young lady’s wish come true,” stated Ms. Samples. Charissa was a lucky young lady to have had her dream come true, and she deserved the opportunity. If you know someone in her position that may qualify for the Dreamwish or Make a Wish Foundations, feel free to check out sites such as www.wish.org/index.html, www.childrenswish.org, or www.starlight.org. "Behind every true Hanson fan lies a Hanson.....Or three....." -Me |