Una adolescente de Las Vegas recibió un deseo de Make-A-Wish. Y lo dedicó a las futuras enfermeras. – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Las Vegas – A 14-year-old girl facing leukemia turned her Make-A-Wish grant into a lasting gift for aspiring pediatric nurses. Gabrie Ann Nakhle, treated at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, selected a scholarship over a personal trip or celebrity encounter. Her choice highlighted the profound impact of caregivers during her illness.[1][2]
From Vacation to Life-Altering Diagnosis
Gabrie Ann Nakhle returned from a family vacation to Mexico in mid-2025 feeling unwell. Bleeding gums appeared while brushing her teeth, prompting an emergency room visit. Doctors discovered an extremely low platelet count, confirming a leukemia diagnosis.[1]
She spent the first week in intensive care, receiving more than 15 infusions of plasma and blood platelets. Treatment continued for 32 days on the hospital’s sixth floor. Outpatient care followed at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, Nevada’s sole facility dedicated to pediatric cancer and rare diseases. The center sits on Roseman University’s Las Vegas campus, linking her medical journey to her eventual wish.[2]
Plans for high school and lacrosse stalled as Nakhle focused on recovery. Nurses provided crucial support, making her feel like the top priority during procedures such as port placement. Their care inspired her unique path forward.[1]
Choosing Impact Over Indulgence
Make-A-Wish Nevada approached Nakhle during treatment, offering a wish like those granted to over 615,000 children worldwide. She collaborated with Roseman University representatives on a campus tour, reviewing cohorts and training programs. Together, they shaped scholarship criteria and application questions.[1]
On a road trip, Nakhle evaluated essays from 15 applicants. “A skilled nurse definitely makes all the difference, because they can make you feel comfortable and at ease,” she said. “I chose this wish because, out of everything that the community had given me, I just wanted to be able to give back to them, and I wanted to do something that impacted more than just myself, and I wanted to leave more of a legacy.”[1]
At the wish reveal, she received scrubs and an honorary nursing degree. The G.A.B.R.I.E.N. Pediatric Nursing Scholarship awards $10,000 annually to a fourth-year student committed to pediatric care. It continues through Roseman’s HERO Scholarship program, backed by Cure 4 The Kids.[2]
Ceremony Marks Milestone and New Beginnings
The event unfolded on April 29, 2026 – World Wish Day – at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation. Family, friends, Make-A-Wish staff, medical professionals, Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, and Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones attended. Nakhle rang the “No More Chemo” bell, celebrating a key treatment milestone, before a party ensued.[1]
Rosalia Escalera, the inaugural recipient, pursues an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Roseman, set to graduate in June 2026. A former accountant and daughter of a single mother, she volunteered in pediatric settings at Dignity Health – St. Rose Dominican. The award covers her final term. “Gabrie, your impact goes far beyond this scholarship; you’ve inspired me to become a better person, and I will carry your story throughout my career,” Escalera said.[1]
Key Elements of the Scholarship:
- $10,000 annual award for fourth-year students.
- Focus on pediatric nursing commitment.
- First recipient: Rosalia Escalera.
- Ongoing funding via Roseman HERO program.
Tackling Nevada’s Critical Nursing Gap
Nevada faces a nursing shortage despite a 57 percent rise in registered nurses in 2024. A 2025 report from the Nevada Health Workforce Research Center at UNR School of Medicine called for over 3,000 more to match national averages. Average nursing tuition reached $41,869 for public in-state students and $67,145 for private in 2024-25.[1]
Dr. Joseph Lasky, Cure 4 The Kids medical director and Roseman adjunct professor, praised the initiative. “There are not enough nurses for all of health care in Nevada, let alone ones who are able to do what our nurses do. Gabrie giving back to her community in this way – supporting a nursing scholarship at Roseman University with her wish – is truly going to touch millions of people.”[1]
Nakhle’s actions extend her influence, ensuring more compassionate caregivers reach Nevada’s children. The scholarship stands as a testament to gratitude in action, poised to shape pediatric care for years ahead.
