S2 EP5 - Aniyah Simmons - The Wish That Keeps Giving and Finding Her Voice with Jessie J

In this powerful episode of World of Wishes, we are joined by wish alum Aniyah Simmons - a vocalist, performer, and advocate whose story is filled with resilience, gratitude, and unforgettable music. Aniyah grew up in a small town in North Carolina, discovering her love for singing in church and dreaming of a future on stage. As a teenager, her life changed when her mother noticed something wasn’t right and advocated for further testing—leading to a cervical cancer diagnosis. Aniyah opens up about the shock of hearing the word “cancer,” the intensity of treatment, and the mindset that carried her through it: “Is it curable? Okay—let’s get to it.” In the midst of treatment, Aniyah was referred to Make-A-Wish. Her wish wasn’t just to meet a celebrity - it was to sing with Jessie J. That wish took her to California, into a rehearsal studio, and into a moment that continues to shape her confidence and career years later. From hearing Jessie J sing before the doors even opened, to sharing the stage, to forming a connection that still continues, Aniyah’s wish truly became the wish that keeps giving. This episode is also a beautiful tribute to family—especially the role Aniyah’s mom played as her advocate, her support system, and her companion on the wish journey. Today, Aniyah gives back by hosting Make-A-Wish events, sharing her story, and helping build hope for families walking similar paths.Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla!Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!