YORKTOWN — For 3-year-old Declan and his family, this past holiday season became something far more than a break from routine; it became a pause from the fight, a moment of joy, and a memory that will last a lifetime.
Through a partnership between Smithfield Foods and Make-A-Wish, Declan, a Yorktown native, received an unforgettable theme park adventure made possible by a $10,000 donation from Smithfield. The experience gave Declan and his parents the chance to step away from hospital visits and treatments and be together as a family.
Declan was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma.
“It’s really hard to fully capture what these trips mean,” said Declan’s father, Boston. “At least for us, it’s a pause of everything that’s going on. You’re in a beautiful, magical world with your kid, and they’re getting to experience everything they wanted to.”
For Declan, that meant meeting superheroes, racing through theme park attractions, and stepping into the worlds that helped him understand his own journey. Boston explained that throughout Declan’s treatment, the family framed his battle with cancer through familiar heroes and villains.
“Cancer is like Thanos and Dr. Doom,” he said. “These characters help give him strength. They’re fighting cancer with him.”
One of Boston’s most meaningful moments came when they entered the Star Wars-themed area of the park.
“He literally saw Darth Vader from afar and just kind of ran right up to him,” Boston said. “He’s just kind of staring him down, telling him like he’s going to choose the light or something and fight him.”
Declan’s love for speed made the roller coasters a favorite, but for his parents, it was watching him fully immerse himself in the experience, building a robot, piloting the Millennium Falcon, holding hands with the Mandalorian, and meeting princesses, that made the trip unforgettable.
“These are things that really stay with you that mean something different this holiday season,” Boston said.
Smithfield Foods representatives said supporting Declan’s wish aligned closely with the company’s commitment to giving back to the communities where its team members live and work.
“We believe in supporting organizations that create meaningful, lasting impact in our local communities,” the company shared. “Make-A-Wish has a remarkable ability to bring hope and joy to children navigating critical illnesses, and partnering with them allowed us to give Declan and his family an unforgettable experience.”
Following the trip, Smithfield welcomed Declan and his family to its headquarters in Smithfield for a Welcome Home Celebration, a moment that left an impression on employees as well.
“While our intent was to support Declan and surround him with encouragement, candidly, witnessing his joy and infectious supply of energy added a boost of holiday magic to our team here in Smithfield,” the representative said.
Boston emphasized that experiences like this go far beyond entertainment.
“The big difference in this is the spirit, the positivity, the upward momentum that a community and a company like Smithfield Foods and, of course, Make-A-Wish does for families like us,” he said. “It’s a lifeline.”
With Declan recently entering remission, Smithfield said it hopes the memories created through the wish will continue to serve as a source of strength.
“We hope this wish becomes a cherished source of joy and strength for Declan’s entire family and is something they can look back on as a bright moment in a challenging journey,” the company said.
For Boston, the gratitude extends beyond one organization to the broader Yorktown and Williamsburg community that continues to rally around his son.
“It’s that type of community, that type of small town that bonds together,” he said. “That is the reason why I think my son’s doing so well.”
