Developer Helps Fulfill Wish of Cancer-Stricken Teen
Las Vegas Review Journal
March 12, 2005
An affiliate of Focus Property Group recently made a dream come true for a 13-year-old girl battling cancer. In partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and numerous other contributors, LandTek, the land development management entity of Focus, granted Lauren Graham's wish for a bedroom makeover.
"We are always seeking ways to help out the community," said John Holden, vice president of operations for LandTek. "This was such a rare opportunity in which we were able to use our expertise to help enhance the life of a young girl who is facing such a difficult time."
Lauren has Ewing's sarcoma, a cancer that can start in bone or soft tissues. She has endured chemotherapy treatments, hair loss, and amputation of a foot. She was diagnosed a year ago and, due to her illness, is confined to her home.
Lauren's 10x12 room did not allow for easy access to the computer, closet or bed. An avid reader, Lauren also wanted more space for books.
The first step was to remove everything from the room, including furniture, closet doors, carpet, curtains, a broken lamp and fan. The next job was to expand the closet to accommodate more clothes. This was done by combining the closet space with the linen closet space. New mirrored closet doors were installed, followed by new carpet and a fresh coat of paint.
LandTek commissioned Gil Quintana of Living Interiors to provide the "happy, sunshine colors" Lauren envisioned. Quintana donated his time and in turn retained others to help with the woodwork and final touches.
After three weeks, LandTek and its group of vendors transformed Lauren's room into her dream come true. She now has a custom closet with shelving and drawers, including one lined with velvet for her jewelry; a day bed with a trundle for her friends to spend the night; custom-made shelves and a desk for her computer; a new television with a built in DVD/CD player; gift certificates; new books and DVDs; and a digital camera.
"My room turned out more beautiful than I ever could have imagined," Lauren said. "I love all the bright and fun colors. It is like my getaway from chemo, and a place I can hang out with friends and read my books in my own space. It's perfect."
"This was definitely a joint project," Holden said. "Not only were we able to work hands-on to help make Lauren's dream come true, we also were able to tap into our many wonderful resources and our vendors who were so readily willing to jump in and help."
Additional contributors were WA Designs, Royal Woodworkers, Crowne Closets & Cabinetry, RC Willey's, Mixed Media, Carpet Extreme, Bryan Interiors, Bravo Inc., Dunn-Edwards Paints, Mr. Window Cleaner, and Best Buy.
Mo Seebeck, development manager for LandTek, said the effort was rewarding for all involved.
"Lauren is a wonderfully strong young lady," Seebeck said. "For everything she has to go through, it was the least we could do. We were amazed at the fact that although we reached out to touch the life of Lauren, she was the one who truly touched our lives. We were so moved by her inspiring outlook on life, even amid her illness, that we wanted to do everything we could to make her happy."
