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Davis Journal

Lagoon turns into ‘LoganLand’ to grant 7-year-old’s wish

Apr 24, 2023 12:58PM ● By Becky Ginos

Logan Knapp runs down the sidewalk at Lagoon as well-wishers use clappers and streamers to welcome him to LoganLand. The 7-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia in 2022. Photo by Becky Ginos

FARMINGTON—It was a big day last week for Logan Knapp as the 7-year-old got the VIP treatment at Lagoon with a behind-the-scenes look at the park that became LoganLand for the day. America First Credit Union and Lagoon partnered with Make-A-Wish Utah to grant the little boy, who is in remission from leukemia, his wish of going to Disney World. 

Logan wants to be an engineer and design roller coasters when he grows up so getting a private tour with Lagoon’s coaster engineer to see the inner workings of the amusement park rides was especially exciting. At each stop Logan received a puzzle piece that when put together revealed he was going to Disney World.

“I’m more excited than you are mom,” Logan said as he did a happy dance before jumping in the golf cart for his tour. 

“America First’s philosophy is people helping people,” said Dave Nellis, Director of Public Relations for America First. “Make-A-Wish provides an opportunity to give some love back to the community. That fits into our culture for helping those experiencing pain and suffering.”

“To grant a wish to a child during the darkest time in their life spreads hope in the community,” said Summer Ehrmann, Development Officer for Make-A-Wish. “There are 246 kids waiting. We’re a local charity with local funding to grant wishes for local kids. Logan is right in our backyard.”

People often think it all happens in Salt Lake, she said. “But Wish kids are your next door neighbors. Kids like Logan who lives in Davis County.”

They need the entire community behind them to fight back from a devastating diagnosis, said Ehrmann. “Kids lose every choice with that diagnosis inside and outside. That’s where hope comes in. The hope of a wish ripples and goes out from there.”

Ehrmann said Logan’s family will also go to Disney World. “We understand the impact on the family that comes with the diagnosis.”

Most people think these are kids’ last wishes, she said. “That’s not the case. Most go on to lead full, happy lives.”

A 14-year-old boy whose wish was to go to Pokeman World in Japan said at times he felt like giving up, said Ehrmann. “He said when it was super hard he would tell himself he had a wish coming so hold on.”

“He’s a work in progress,” said Logan’s mother Kellie. “He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2022 and went through intensive treatment. He takes daily chemotherapy pills but that’s a walk in the park compared to what we went through last year.”

This is a dream come true as a mom, she said. “When other kids were playing during recess, Logan was having blood transfusions and chemo. Through those long days of treatment his wish brought so much hope.”

Kellie said since going through something so hard as a kid the little things don’t trip Logan up. “He’s so inspiring to me as a mom. One day on our way to treatment at the hospital I looked back in the car and saw him wiping away tears. He said ‘I’m so grateful I had cancer at 7 so I could figure out there were this many good people in the world. I would have had to wait until I was an adult.’”

Logan said his favorite ride is Wicked but next is the Spider. “I like accelerating, that's why I always choose the back. The force is like a slap in the face. What I like best about the Spider is that water squirts out.”

Throughout the tour Logan marveled that something like this was happening to him. “This is amazing,” he said. “I never thought I’d be doing this. It must be a commercial. Thank you.”λ