Seventh Grader with Rare Disease Gets ‘Magical’ Birthday Trip to See Volcanoes with His Family (Exclusive)

**Young Boy with Sickle Cell Disease Celebrates Birthday in Hawaii with Make-A-Wish**

Trey Robertson, a twelve-year-old from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, recently marked his birthday in an extraordinary manner, hoping to inspire others with similar health challenges. This past September, Trey, who has lived with sickle cell disease, indulged in a unique vacation to Hawaii courtesy of Make-A-Wish. Along with his family, he explored the breathtaking landscapes of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, where he was thrilled to witness active lava flows.

Expressing his love of geology, Trey shared his ambition to educate others about volcanoes. “I wanted to learn about volcanoes and then teach other people about them so they can learn too,” he explained in an interview, reflecting on the impactful experiences of his trip.

In addition to exploring the volcanoes, Trey also tried his hand at snorkeling for the first time. Interestingly, he excelled at it while the rest of his family struggled. His mother, Kaitee Robertson, recounted with a smile, “He was the only one that could actually do it. The rest of us felt like we were drowning. He was perfectly fine.”

Although Trey has faced significant health challenges due to his condition, he refuses to be defined by it. While he admits to moments of sadness about his diagnosis, he remains optimistic and encourages others grappling with their health to pursue new experiences. “They can try new things that they haven’t tried,” he advised, embodying a spirit of resilience.

Trey’s family dynamic is marked by love and support; he was adopted by Kaitee in 2022 after spending two years in foster care. Trey has three siblings—Tailaysha, 17; Aujanae, 9; and Tristan, 11—all of whom joined him on the Hawaiian adventure. His older brother, Joey, who is 17, was unable to attend due to his college commitments.

Kaitee highlights the learning curve her family faced upon adopting Trey, particularly regarding his medical needs. “There was a learning curve,” she admitted, sharing her initial research efforts to ensure they could manage Trey’s condition effectively. Strict adherence to a management routine has allowed Trey to maintain a lower frequency of painful crises associated with sickle cell disease.

Despite his health challenges, Trey has thrived in environments tailored to his abilities. While sports are not well-suited to him, he has found success in musical theatre. He has appeared in performances since third grade and is currently set to play the character Lord Farquaad in his school’s production of “Shrek.” Kaitee described her son as “super smart, a bookworm who loves his books and can memorise a script like nobody’s business.”

When choosing his Make-A-Wish adventure, Trey initially considered seeing the aurora borealis in Alaska. However, Kaitee explained that the cold climate could potentially trigger severe health episodes, making Hawaii a more fitting option. She praised the organisation for their efforts, noting, “Make-A-Wish went over and above the bar. We stayed at a beautiful location with dolphins right onsite.”

The family enjoyed quality time together during the week-long holiday, relishing the chance to bond over shared experiences in Hawaii. Make-A-Wish coordinator Dana Antkowiak commented on the positive impact of such trips, stating that they provide essential emotional support to children facing serious health issues. In the previous fiscal year alone, the organisation granted 15,700 wishes.

Looking ahead, Kaitee is hopeful that advancements in medical research might lead to new treatment possibilities for Trey. She noted that since he has turned twelve, they can now explore clinical trials. “Now when we go to the doctors, there’s some hopefulness that maybe with all the stem cell and gene therapy there might eventually be a cure,” Rogers said.

In the face of all the challenges life has thrown at him, Trey highlighted a poignant aspect of his journey. When asked what he cherishes most, he simply stated, “I get to have a family who really cares about me.” This sentiment encapsulates his uplifting outlook on life, reflecting a bright future despite the obstacles he has faced.