JACKSONVILLE, Fla – A 9-year-old Jacksonville girl is preparing for a weekend her family will never forget.
Paisley Speed is one of the children being honored at this year’s Dream Day, an event that celebrates children facing serious medical challenges.
Paisley was born with a lymphatic malformation, a condition that has kept her in and out of the hospital for much of her life. In 2023, she experienced kidney failure and has spent the last two-and-a-half years on dialysis.
Despite all of that, Paisley’s family says she is known for her big smile, her sassy personality and her love of country music, makeup, shopping and Jacksonville sports.
During a recent surprise, Paisley received her “golden ticket†for Dream Day after tapping a box three times and finding a chocolate bar with the magic ticket inside.
The celebration comes just one day before another major milestone.
Paisley is expected to travel to Atlanta after Dream Day to receive a kidney transplant on her 10th birthday. Her mother says Paisley’s uncle, Brian, is the living donor.
Paisley says she is excited for the transplant because she wants to “live my best life again.†One of the first things she hopes to do once she recovers is jump in a pool.
Dream Day is scheduled for June 27.
The 36 Dreamer Kids will dress up as their favorite characters, walk a 150-foot red carpet, meet their heroes, and celebrate with family and friends.
You can watch it live from 10 a.m. to noon on WJXT Channel 4 and streaming on News4JAX+.
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