5th grader gets sweet surprise from Lexington Dream Factory

(LEX 18) — A fifth-grader from Northern Kentucky is getting the opportunity to fulfill her dream thanks to a nonprofit organization in Lexington.

The Lexington Dream Factory took a trip to Summit View Academy in Kenton County on Wednesday to surprise 10-year-old Emma with tickets to see Taylor Swift, who will be in Indianapolis this weekend.

The Lexington Dream Factory provides dreams to children ages 3 to 18 who have been diagnosed with critical or chronic illness.

Emma was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes earlier this year and has dealt with complications caused by the disease.

She has a great reputation as a confident, kind and strong woman.

“My brother’s daughter, she has type 1, so we kind of noticed the symptoms,” says Emma’s mom, Sarah. “I thought I’d just go check her blood sugar and her cousin did it and she was 555.”

Emma thanks her cousin for saving her life that day.

“I went to DKA in the hospital with my cousin, she saved my life. If she hadn’t been there to give me that finger shot, I would probably be dead right now, and I’m grateful to her,” Emma says. .

Jennifer Hurst is the president of the Lexington Dream Factory. She was the one who gave Emma the tickets today.

“It gives them hope,” Hurst explains. “So you have kids like Emma, ​​she has to deal with it every day, but we have kids that we hear about but unfortunately it’s incurable and for their families it gives them hope. This leads them to the next treatment.”

Emma wanted to make sure to thank those who were there for her every step of the way.

“I want everyone to know how grateful I am to them, especially my parents, they take the cake. Secondly, Taylor Swift, she’s amazing,” Emma says.

The Lexington Dream Factory will host its 37th annual gala on May 17 at the Central Bank Center.

In the meantime, to learn more about the Dream Factory or to make a donation, Click here.