Make-A-Wish surprises Monroe High School senior with saxophone
MONROE — Christopher Gallaher thought he was going to Monroe High School to learn some new music. Instead, his wish was granted.
Christopher, an MHS senior, learned he had stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma just days into the school year. He had to switch to virtual classes. He had to leave the marching and concert bands.
After months of radiation, chemotherapy and medications, Christopher’s cancer went into remission two weeks ago. But, he still qualified for a wish from Make-A-Wish.
On Wednesday, Make-A-Wish Michigan surprised Christopher with his top request: a brand-new, high-end baritone saxophone. The instrument came from Meyer Music of Grand Rapids and is worth about $10,000.
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Christopher is planning to study pre-medicine at Bowling Green State University in the fall. He hopes to play in the BGSU band.
Many from Make-A-Wish Michigan came to MHS to present the sax to Christopher on the auditorium’s stage, where Christopher was surrounded by his family and his fourth-hour band class.
The band played MHS’ fight song as Christopher entered the auditorium with Joey Swinkey, band director.
“We wanted to do something special,” Michael Hull, president and CEO of the Southfield-based Make-A-Wish Michigan, told Christopher. “I heard you’ve had nine years in the band and are pretty talented with saxophone. You could have wished for anything. There were so many options you had. To pick this wish is really special. We can’t wait to see you excel. We’re excited to be your cheerleaders as you go off to college. It’s just an honor to be here today.”
Swinkey spoke about Christopher’s passion for music.
“I knew that you were really into this. Even though you were playing a lot of sports and had AP classes, you made time for band and practice. I was really looking forward to your senior year. Then, the unimaginable happened,” Swinkey said.
“I know you want to play this thing,” Swinkey said, looking at the instrument’s case topped with a Make-A-Wish blue bow.
The band offered a drum roll as Christopher opened the case and pulled out the shiny instrument and reeds. Then, with his new sax, Christopher and the band played ”Pipe and Thistle” by Carol Britten Chambers, a song from the band’s winter concert.
“Want to play something else?” Swinkey asked. “Keep going,” Hull encouraged.
So, the band played “Under the Double Eagle” by Franz Wagner and “Rapture” by Brian Balmages.
“I just miss this, a lot,” Christopher said after the impromptu performance.
“As his band director, I’m humbled that, given the choice, he chose a baritone saxophone for his wish,” Swinkey said. “I’m not surprised that he would choose something like an instrument that he can use for the rest of his life; he’s a smart young man. I’m happy that his band family could, not only support him through his cancer treatments, but also be a part of this special day.”
Swinkey and Christopher’s family have been planning the surprise for two months.
“I have been coordinating today’s presentation with Amy Gallinat and the Make-A-Wish Michigan crew since January. They are amazing to work with,” Swinkey said.
Christopher owns other tenor and alto saxophones, but he really wanted the one he got Wednesday.
“His are significantly cheaper. He plays them all the time,” said Christopher’s mom, Adrienne Walker of LaSalle. Christopher also is the son of Jason Gallaher of Monroe.
Walker said Christopher also considered an ATV Side by Side for his wish.
“He really didn’t want to tell them. He just wanted the sax,” Walker said. “We are so grateful to Make-A-Wish. They are phenomenal.”
Hull learned about Christopher from the teen's medical team.
“The volunteers meet with the kids and explain wishes,” he said. “It can be anything they can wish, and we try to make it happen.”
A Disney vacation is the number one request, but some children ask for other trips, celebrity meet-and-greets and college tuition; others want to give back, Hull said.
He said wishes for instruments are not common, but have happened. Hull gave Christopher three options of baritone saxes. Christopher preferred the most expensive, and that’s what Make-A-Wish arranged.
Make-A-Wish Michigan has been in operation for 45 years. At one time, Hull said, wish recipients had to have a terminal diagnosis, but that’s no longer the case.
“They have to be 2 ½ to 18 and have a critical diagnosis impacting their life. So many kids qualify,” he said.
Although in remission, Christopher still requires radiation treatments and will continue to take virtual classes, but he hopes to attend this spring's graduation ceremony.
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“He has to follow up with PET scans and meet every month with the oncologist,” Walker said. “He plans to walk with his class.”
Swinkey hopes Christopher can have a few more band experiences before he graduates.
“We are hoping that his improved health and will allow him to participate in the Wind Ensemble. I’d like him to perform on the spring concert with us,” Swinkey said. “He deserves every opportunity we can give him to reclaim his senior year from this terrible disease. I’m so proud of him for his spirit and determination to come through this, and of all my kids here for supporting him every step of the way.”
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Make-A-Wish surprises Monroe High School senior with saxophone
