A local child is slated to be crowned Queen of the Stars during “An Evening with the Stars,” which is the 2009 Gala benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi.

Seven-year-old Lily Layne Ready of Stringer, a former wish child, will be crowned Queen of the Stars during the foundation’s premier event on Saturday, March 21 in Jackson.

Along with Ready, eight year-old Tanner McGee of Hattiesburg, another former wish child, will be crowned king.

“Lily is seven years old and has been seriously ill since she was seven months old,” said Sonya Ready, Lily’s mother. “She is an awesome little girl with the biggest love for life.”

The seven year-old selected queen is the daughter of Clay and Sonya Ready of Stringer and the sister of Kailey Ready.

Lily’s grandparents are Percy and Dixie Graham of Stringer and Bill and Charlotte Ready of Monticello. Her great-grandparents are Wincil Smith of Monticello and Damie Ready of Monticello and the late Johnny Clyde Ready.

Sonya Ready said Lily has been battling her illness for most of her young life.

“Lily has autoimmune hemolytic anemia and autoimmune giant cell hepatitis. Her body sees her blood and liver as foreign (just like an infection) and is constantly attacking them,” the concerned mother said. “She was not given a very optimistic diagnosis, but she is such a fighter and has done better than ever suggested. Everyone in this area has been praying for Lily for years, but because of her compromised immune system, a lot of people have not gotten to meet her.”

Sonya Ready said Lily has been a motivation and positive force in the lives of her family.

“She has the best attitude toward her illness and is such an inspiration to all she comes in contact with. She is at Birmingham Children's Hospital at least once a month for infusions and test,” the mother said. “Lily handles it so well, and always comes home praying for the sick children she has met there.”

“I got sick when I was seven months old and it changed everything. I am just glad God is taking care of me so I can enjoy everyday for the rest my life,” said the insightful 7-year-old.

Ready said Lily and her family are looking forward to the Gala next week.

The Gala gives everyone a chance to help give hope to Mississippi children with life threatening medical conditions,” said Jane Walsh, Community Development Coordinator.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi is a non-profit organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Last year, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi made wishes come true for 80 children in our state.

Since the Mississippi chapter began in 1984, over 1,100 wishes have been granted for children with life-threatening medical conditions in Mississippi. For many of these children, a wish experience provides strength and hope for the future.

According to Walsh, there are currently over 115 children waiting for their wishes to be granted, with the potential for another one hundred children in Mississippi to qualify for a wish each year.

“The need is great, we just need the resources to bring hope, strength and joy to these children and their families,” says Walsh.

Lily’s wish was to have a magical experience at Walt Disney World Resort while Tanner’s wish was to go to Hollywood and meet a talent scout.

Officials said wishes generally fall into one of these categories: “I wish to go…,” “I wish to meet…,” “I wish to be…,” and “I wish to have….”

These wishes can vary from a unique experience like Tanner’s to a wish for a computer, shopping spree, or new pet.

Lily said that that being crowned Queen of the Make-A-Wish Ball was like having two wishes because in addition to meeting the Disney Princesses she got to pose for a photo shoot for publicity for the Ball, she was interviewed on two morning shows on Jackson radio stations, and she had a live interview on WAPT television in Jackson.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation’s premier event will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, at the Country Club of Jackson.

Reservations for “An Evening with the Stars” are $60 per person in advance and $70 per person at the door.

To make your reservation, contact Jane Walsh at 601-366-9474 ext. 26 or jwalsh@ms.wish.org

Anyone interested in learning more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation or becoming involved as a volunteer should contact the Make-A-Wish Foundation office at (601) 366-9474/ (800) 819-4072 or info@ms.wish.org