Shopping Spree Wish Comes True for Teen Battling Cancer

Not many teenage girls have their own personal shopper and thousands of dollars to spend in a one-day shopping spree, but on Friday, it was Nakeya Pinkston's wish come true.

Nakeya, a resident of Romulus, was diagnosed a year ago with rhabdomyosarcoma – a cancer of the muscles that are attached to bone.

Now, after several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, 17-year-old Nakeya is in remission and enjoying a shopping spree valued around $5,000, courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan and .

"I'm excited," said Pinkston, who is shy and soft-spoken, shortly after arriving at The Somerset Collection Friday morning. She said she was most looking forward to "just shopping, period."

"Shopping wishes are really incredible because you get to see the wish happen before your eyes," said Laura Varon Brown, director of communications and public relations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children who have life-threatening illnesses.

"It's just overwhelming," Nakeya's mother, Lisa Pinkston, said. "It's just a blessing, and it's really great for her to have her day."

Nakeya tearfully thanked the Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as her mother, without whom, Nakeya said, "I wouldn't have been able to do it."

More than 50 wishes will be granted across America on Friday as part of Macy's National Believe Day, including Nakeya's wish of a shopping spree. Macy's will also be donating $2 for every letter mailed to Santa Claus at any Macy's store on Friday, with all proceeds – up to $1 million – going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Correction: The value of the shopping spree has been updated; the value is  based on several factors including the child's age, and in this case was about $5,000.