Anna Post, center, is surrounded by guests at her surprise reception at Liberty Middle School. The party included teachers Mary Hardin, from left, Laurie Viers and Natalie Lane, Anna’s parents Mark and Lisa Post and Make-A-Wish representatives Andrea Garcia and Wendy Yeager. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – A student at Liberty Middle School enjoyed a surprise party, but that gathering was only the start for the wish of her dreams.

Anna Post was expecting a typical school day on Oct. 19 when representatives with the Make-A-Wish Foundation made a special visit to Liberty “to help brighten the spirits of a girl who already beams with radiance,” John Peck said. Peck works as public relations manager for Madison City Schools.

Anna has a condition known as idiopathic multicentric osteolysis with nephropathy, which is a relatively unknown chronic disorder that presents bone deterioration to the point of joint dysfunction.

Make-A-Wish Foundation is sending Anna and her family on an expense-paid Disney cruise. Anna learned the good news at a surprise reception complete with cupcakes with her classmates.

For the reception, representatives from the Alabama chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation Andrea Garcia and Wendy Yeager joined Liberty special education teachers Natalie Lane and Laurie Viers, Liberty aide Mary Hardin and Anna’s parents, Mark and Lisa Post.

Entering the party, Anna couldn’t control her excitement as her well-wishers surrounded her and she learned that Make-A-Wish would grant her dream of a lifetime to cruise on the Disney ship.

“Thank you, Anna and family, for being such valued members of the Madison City Schools family,” Peck said, “and thank you Make-A-Wish Foundation.”

In the United States and its territories, Make-A-Wish grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition … ever 38 minutes. The children’s wishes inspire foundation workers to materialize those dreams.

Originally incorporated in 1987, Make-A-Wish Alabama headquarters are located in Birmingham. The Alabama organization granted 143 wishes in fiscal year 2014.

For more information, call 205-254-9474 or visit Alabama.wish.org.