On August 31, 2012, when Mariah Rivera was 8 years old, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She went through 27 months of chemotherapy and a severe flu before what became the happiest day of her life: She was told by the doctors that she was in remission. When later given a wish by the Make a Wish Foundation, Mariah asked for something not many young girls do. Instead of a shopping spree or a Disney trip or a meeting with Justin Bieber, Mariah said, “I WANT TO MEET BARACK OBAMA!!”. Her wish was granted and she’ll never forget it. And as for joining Light the Night in New York City? Mariah’s grandmother saw an ad about it on the subway home one day, and immediately decided to sign them all up!