My daughter’s last wish was to see the sunrise from the Grand Canyon – Minutes before dawn, a park ranger approached us and said, “Your doctor told me I had to talk to you before the sun came out”

I gripped the arm of my chair.

“What are you saying?”

“I’m telling you that Hailey may meet their eligibility criteria.”

“Can you help me?” Hailey asked.

“There are still tests to be done. There are no guarantees.”

“Could you cure me?”

“Nobody can promise that.”

“Then what can you do?”

“The researchers believe this approach could slow down, or possibly stop, the progression of the disease. At this stage, that would already be significant.”

Something dangerous began to stir inside me.

Hope.

I had learned to fear it almost as much as bad news.

And I still hadn’t heard the part that would leave me with more questions than answers.

“When would we have to leave?” I asked.

“As soon as possible.”

“To Germany?”

“Yes.”

My stomach tightened.

“How am I supposed to afford a trip to Germany?”

Dr. Carter didn’t answer immediately.

“You won’t have to.”