In early childhood,
Make-A-Wish recipient Alexander Hipp was
diagnosed with Chronic Granulomatous Disease. The disease he
suffered with significantly lowered his ability to fight off
bacterial and fungal infections. Like his younger brother,
also diagnosed with CGD, successful treatment options were
limited.
Fortunately, doctors recently determined that a bone marrow
transplant would help patients diagnosed with CGD. After his
younger brother successfully underwent the transplant
surgery, Alexander did too.
In celebration of his critical disease cure, Alexander Hipp and his family
were hosted by the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division with an
interactive
tour of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii on July 25, 2019.
The family was
greeted by the 25th ID Hui Ha'a team along with Col. Deborah
M. Ellis, 25th ID chief of staff, and Command Sgt. Maj.
Brian Hester, 25th ID command sergeant major.
Their visit included a tour of the Tropic Lightning Museum
as well as the chance to use rifle and helicopter
simulators. The day concluded with an aerial tour of Oahu on
a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter.
The visit to Schofield Barracks is just one portion of
Alexander's wish to visit historic World War II and military sites
throughout Hawaii.
