Make-A-Wish Foundation makes local girl's dream come true

Shanna Learned loves dolphins. When she was in second grade, she wrote a book report on them, and they’ve been her favorite animal since.

However, Shanna is no ordinary child. The only biological child to Jeff and Maureen Learned of Burbank, California, Shanna suffers from prune belly syndrome, which has left her with only one functioning kidney. She’s undergone surgery more than 30 times and she’s battled the disease most of her life.

But now, the Make-A-Wish foundation is helping Shanna’s dream come to life: to swim with the dolphins.

Next month, Shanna, her parents, and her four adopted siblings, three of which used to be in foster care, will travel to Orlando, Florida to visit SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove, where Shanna will finally get to frolic in the water with her finned friends.

Shanna and her family were on hand Tuesday at a Studio City Ralphs to recieve the good news. Ralphs celebrated World Wish Day all day Tuesday by selling special treats inside their stores to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, including a “Wish Waffle” and a “Wish Cookie” package.

“Helping people and families in our community is a long-standing tradition at Ralphs,” Kendra Doyel, Group Vice President for Ralphs Grocery Company said. “Our partnership with Make-A-Wish will allow our customers and our associates to make a difference in the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions and their families by raising much-needed monies so more children will be able to realize their special wishes.”

The special sweets will be available in stores across the Los Angeles area through June.