Nikita's wish was one of six granted across the country Links of London Sale . Wishes are given to children ages 2 1/2 to 18 years old with life-threatening illnesses. The average cost of a wish is $3,400. In the past year, which ended Aug. 31, the local chapter has granted 697 wishes. "We have to believe for these kids, and what better time than this time of year to believe in the magic that good things will happen for Nikita," said Dana Antkowiak, marketing and communications coordinator for Make-A-Wish. "Each kid's wish is as unique as the child itself. This is my favorite part of my job, being here, seeing this wish come true and just seeing Nikita's face." Nikita was born premature and had some speaking problems. She had several operations on her mouth and has some vision problems from lazy eyes. She also has a seizure disorder. Nikita and her family members -- mother Jennifer Katana, 18-month-old brother Isaiah Katana, Aunt Marla Brumbaugh and Grandmother Sheryl Ingram -- arrived at Macy's Downtown store in a black stretch Links of London Earrings a bit after 10 a.m. Inside, they were greeted with signs proclaiming Nikita the princess. She was presented with a bouquet of colorful flowers, a tiara and a pink princess sash, then whisked away to a third-floor dressing room to be fitted in her outfit. Nikita had the date marked on her calendar for months. She continued to circle it to remind her family of the day she would become a princess. "I like this," said Nikita, as she exited the dressing room. "This is cool." A first-grader at George Washington Elementary School in McKeesport, Nikita's wish was to be a princess and to have her bedroom turned into a castle. That part of the wish is expected to be completed by the end of the month. She will have a new bed and dresser with roses carved into them and a crown on top. The ceiling will be painted to represent the sky, and one wall will picture an enchanted forest, says Remy Bibaud, a volunteer with Make-A-Wish. "The best part is to see these kid's faces," said Bibaud, who has been helping to grant wishes for 14 years. "Look, she is the perfect princess." Nikita went to makeup counter for blue eyeshadow -- Links of London Pink Heart Charm Bracelet favorite she said -- and lots of sparkle blush. "Her wish was to live as a princess. You know, the whole fairly tale thing," said her mother through tears, adding that she forgot to wear waterproof mascara. "We can't thank Make-A-Wish and Macy's enough," she said. "This is Nikita's dream. She has been through so much and endured so much that it is nice for her to spend a day not thinking about doctors and medication. To see her so happy...." Nikita smiled as Santa presented her with a Cinderella Barbie, Vera Wang Princess Perfume and glitter stickers. "This day was awesome," said her grandmother. "It was an extraordinary day. We will never be able to match it. She will never forget this." Nikita agreed. "This is awesome," she said as she sat in her princess throne, eating a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich at the Tic Toc restaurant. "It really is."Amazon.com offers millions of new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Links of London Pink Heart Charm Signature Necklace; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial.
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