ESTERO, Fla. — Estero High School raised $12,000 for a little girl who just beat cancer.

Malerie Mareus was diagnosed with leukemia in 2020 and now she’s cancer free. After a tough few years, The Make-a-Wish Foundation wants to make her wish come true, which is to meet NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.

“She loves playing basketball and she loves Shaq. Shaq is her favorite,” said Malerie’s mom, Frantzcia Mareus.

Every year, Estero High School does a Wish Week to grant wishes like Malerie’s. This year they did a Valentine’s Day flower sale, a chili cookoff and a car wash just to name a few events. They’re still organizing the meetup with Shaq but on Thursday, Malerie got a big check to help make it happen. The entire staff and student body worked with the community to raise the money.

“That was my main goal, for our kids to learn to give back,” said Susan Delago, an Estero High School Teacher, who founded the program. 

This is the seventh year Estero High School has done its Wish Week and they’ve raised  $40,000 in total to grant wishes over the years.