11-year-old girl survived a car accident in which three family members died and was given tickets to a Taylor Swift concert
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – As an 11-year-old Lawrence County girl continues her road to recovery, a local nonprofit is helping make some of her dreams come true.
Aubrey Bagaki was the only survivor of a tragic car accident last month that killed three of her family members.
“Anything that will put a smile on her and her mom’s face, like I said, because I know the holidays are going to be tough,” said Jamie Ward, founder of Jamie’s Dream Team.
Bagaki was discharged from hospital last week and is recovering at home with an arm cast and a neck and spine brace.
“Aubrey is strong and she deserves everything she wants or anything anyone can give her,” Ward said.
Jamie’s Dream Team was founded in 2005. The organization makes dreams come true for people with life-threatening illnesses or serious medical needs.
“We have realized well over 30,000 dreams nationwide,” Ward said.
Ward said she now hopes to make some of Bagaki’s dreams come true, too. This week, Jamie’s Dream Team gifted the 11-year-old girl tickets to a Taylor Swift concert in Indianapolis in November.
“I know she listened to her songs the whole time she was in the hospital,” Ward said.
The nonprofit also gave Aubrey tickets to Disney World.
“This is for when you’re better, so you can walk around again in November in a few months when you have to get your braces off,” Ward told Bagaki as he handed her the tickets this week.
A once-in-a-lifetime journey and moments to look forward to. As Swift puts it best in one of her songs: “Today it’s never too late to be brand new.”
“It won’t solve all the problems, but it will give them a spark of hope and happiness,” Ward said.
Jamie’s Dream Team is raising money for flights and hotels to help pay for Bagaki’s trip. Ward said concert tickets and Disney tickets have already been purchased.
“I just challenge Pittsburgh to do what they always do. Pittsburgh has the biggest heart,” Ward said.