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Leah’s Lock

Posted by Montanna Mellion on June 4, 2015

It is true that a picture – or in our case a video – can be worth a thousand words. A video can hold a lifetime of memories and happiness. For one family, it holds the memory of their daughter’s final wish.

In January of 2013 Leah Guthrie was diagnosed with cancer. Over the next twelve months after her diagnosis she battled difficult cancer treatments. The silver lining to all of her struggles was when she discovered she would be able to have a wish granted through Make-A-Wish. Leah knew exactly what she wanted to do for her wish; she wanted to go to The City of Lights, Paris, France. For eight days Leah and her family were able to relax and enjoy the beautiful sights of Paris. They visited the Eiffel Tower, had a lovely dinner at the famous Jules Verne restaurant, and visited the Lovelock Bridge. However, Leah had forgotten to bring a lock to place on the bridge.

The trip to Paris was a great experience that provided Leah and her family with happiness. But a few months after the trip, Leah passed away due to another large tumor.

Leah’s mother, Marie Guthrie, shared her story at the Wish Ball on May 16^th.

Wish Ball for the Make-A-Wish Foundation

Make-A-Wish Illinois and Make-A-Wish Paris teamed up with Crews Control to bring Leah’s family something they could hold on to forever. Make-A-Wish Paris was sent a lock that they placed on the Lovelock Bridge in honor of Leah’s memory. Leah was lucky enough to be one of the last people to have made her everlasting mark on the Lovelock Bridge. Our crew was honored to film the touching ceremony and created a breathtaking video that would surprise Leah’s mother at the Wish Ball. Although the locks are currently in the process of being taken down, our crew and the Make-A-Wish Foundation were able to give Leah’s family a loving memory and a lasting symbol.

View the full video here: