She's getting Santa for Christmas

Kira Taylor of New Tampa will meet her hero Santa Claus today, helping him conduct the lighting of Christmas trees during the Symphony in Lights Kick-Off Celebration at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.

The event will be part of a special day planned for Kira, 9, a cystic fibrosis patient, courtesy of the Kids Wish Network and The Shops at Wiregrass.

Kira's mom, Lisa, said she and husband Mark requested this wish not only because of the challenges presented by her daughter's medical condition, but also because of Kira's giving, selfless nature.

"She's never asked for anything," said Lisa Taylor, who also has a 7-year-old daughter, Alyssa. The Taylors live in the West Meadows neighborhood of New Tampa.

"She cares about everybody else," her mom said.

Kira was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was 11 months old. It's a condition that, according to a written announcement, "often leads to life-threatening lung infections and also interferes with food absorption. In addition, Kira also suffers from hydrocephalus or a build up of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull. In order for the fluid to drain correctly, Kira had to endure a surgery to place a shunt within her skull. Every year, this little girl suffers through multiple sinus surgeries as well as daily nebulizer and compression vest treatments."

Even so, says her mom, Kira always puts the concerns and problems of other children ahead of her own. She donates toys to Toys for Tots, participates in walks to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis and hydrocephalus and expresses concern about children who suffer from other conditions.

"She'll ask, 'What is wrong with that child? Why do they have to be sick?'" Lisa Taylor said.

She said Kira also is conscientious about her school work. A student at Clark Elementary, she also studies at home with her mother, a former schoolteacher, and stresses about having to miss school because of her condition.

"It's been hard for her, but she never gives up," her mom said. "We thought she deserved a reward."

The Taylors approached the Kids Wish Network, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization "dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children" by granting wishes for kids with life-threatening illnesses. Lisa Taylor said the organization immediately offered to grant a wish for her daughter.

In conjunction with The Shops at Wiregrass, Kids Wish Network arranged for Kira to have a shopping spree at the open-air mall, receive a free makeover at Aveda salon, and serve as a central player in the Symphony in Lights Kick-Off Celebration, helping none other than Santa Claus conduct the lighting of the Wiregrass Christmas trees and singing carols with the Alan Darcy Group.

Kira received an additional wish, a Petco gift card that will allow her to buy items for her dog. Her Kids Wish Network coordinator, Jennifer Gasparovic, and her mother will accompany her on the shopping spree.

"She's such a humble child," Gasparovic said. "She thought of her dog first, then asked for a little shopping spree for herself."

Gasparovic says she cherishes the opportunity to accompany Kira.

"This is the first local wish I've granted," she said. "I'm so pleased I get to be there."

Kira, for her part, has been counting the days until her shopping trip and has compiled a wish list that includes stuffed animals, boots and clothes.

"I'm very excited," she said. "I feel great about this."

Kira says she has one additional wish, one for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She says she hopes people will give to the foundation to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis.

"I'd like that," she said.

Her mother likes the way that the Kids Wish Network has revitalized her daughter's spirits.

"This has given her hope," Lisa Taylor said.

For information about the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, visit www.cysticfibrosis.com and search the "Cure for Kira" team. For information on Kids Wish Network, visit www.kids wishnetwork.org.