A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity: Two-Time Cancer Survivor Lives His Dream to be a Published Author

May 2024—Many of us have heard the expression, “be the author of your own life story,” and while we may appreciate the sentiment, it’s not something usually taken literally. But, then again, few of us have lived the life Tyler Kingsbury has. 

The Palm Harbor resident and current University of South Florida student lost a promising soccer career, endured years of grueling treatments, and was quarantined for a year following a bone marrow transplant, all before the age of 20. The culprit was cancer, and what should have been carefree teen years for Tyler were stolen away. 

LIGHT AMONG DARKNESS

In the midst of all the negatives, however, there were also some positives. With the support of family and friends, Kingsbury ended up beating both Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Diffuse Large B-Cell Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was also eligible for the services of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, a Sarasota-based nonprofit that grants life-changing wishes for critically-ill children. And while the organization offered a world full of wish possibilities including meeting a celebrity, traveling to an exotic location, or attending a top-tier event, Tyler only wanted to share his story, in a real book he’d write that would be professionally published. 

The result was “Tenacity,” an effort that was both therapeutic for the author to write and helpful to other children and families dealing with diagnosis and treatment. Chronicling Tyler’s multi-year battles with cancer, it’s a story told from the perspective of the person that both lost and gained through the experience. Make-A-Wish not only helped Kingsbury with the writing of his autobiography, but also hosted an author signing at Barnes & Noble that included family and friends on hand to celebrate the book’s publication.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to finally get a book published like this,” said Kingsbury. “A lot of people don’t get this opportunity, so I’m thankful for everything.” 

PAYING IT FORWARD

Kingsbury recently shared that perspective and more at “Cooking for Wishes,” an annual Make-A-Wish fundraiser that helps underwrite the cost of wishes for sick children on the Suncoast. The event, held at the Circus Arts Conservatory in Sarasota, featured a four-course, interactive dinner where guests at each table prepared their own meal under the direction of Executive Chef Jamil Piñeda and Phil Mancini from Michael’s on East. The evening also included wine selections by Emcee Michael Klauber, and live and silent auctions. Terri Klauber, Renee Phinney, and Lauren McComb Dixon were event co-chairs. 

Approximately 400 supporters attended, raising nearly $700,000, enough to grant wish experiences for more than 87 children and families facing battles like Tyler and his family recently did. “Having an opportunity to make dreams come true for those in our community who have gone through so much is what motivates us each year. The more people we reach, the greater impact we can have for kids and families on the Suncoast,” said Terri Klauber, who has been a driving force behind all 14 Cooking for Wishes events. 

2024’s “Wizard of Oz” theme ensured the evening would feature a Kansas backdrop (with a twister on the way) as guests entered the event area. Once inside, attendees, many dressed as their favorite characters from the movie, found themselves on a yellow brick road that led to a night unlike any other. Flying monkeys hung from the ceiling, the Scarecrow and Tin Man walked on stilts, and angelic voices sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Even the Wicked Witch of the West was there, flying through the room between courses of the meal. Presented by Exceptional Dentistry of Sarasota, it was a fun time for members of a caring community whose very presence will make a difference in the lives of critically-ill children and families. 

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

“Wishes change the lives of the children we serve. It changes the trajectory they’re on and leaves a lifelong impact on the families that receive them,” said Norman Wedderburn, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. “The only way we’re able to continue to provide the experiences that do that is to generate the resources required to make magic happen, and that’s why this event is so critical to our success.” 

More than 14,000 life-changing wishes have been granted by Make-A-Wish’s Southern Florida chapter since 1983, but there are still children in the community waiting for their turn, and others who would be eligible that haven’t been referred (anyone with knowledge of a child’s  medical condition can make a referral at www.wish.org/refer-a-child). Once a doctor certifies that the child has a life-threatening medical condition, that individual will receive a wish. 

Wish kids most often ‘wish to be’ (something), ‘wish to meet’ (someone), ‘wish to go’ (somewhere), ‘wish to have’ (something), or ‘wish to give’ (something) and the nonprofit organization makes this happen for the child and their entire family at no cost or obligation. 

Make-A-Wish Southern Florida aims to grant a wish for every medically-eligible child referred to it, including assisting other chapters when their kids come to Florida, understanding these experiences are more than nice, they’re necessary to the health and well-being of families at a critical time in their lives. 

That was the case for the Kingsbury family when the story Tyler got to share, in book form, helped put that chapter of their lives behind them. “It was a long journey with cancer, and I’m just glad to be healthy,” the published author said. 

Make-A-Wish Southern Florida is active in 22 counties/four regions in the state: the Suncoast (Sarasota, Manatee, and surrounding counties), Tampa Bay, southeast and southwest Florida. Its territory also includes the U.S. Virgin Islands. The goal is to grant a life-changing wish for every critically-ill child. 

For more information on Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, visit wish.org/sfla or follow them on social media.