For most teenagers, summer means sports, travel, and time with friends.
For Cody, a 15-year-old from Mobile, the past year has looked very different.
After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in November 2024, his days were filled with treatments at The Hope Clinic at Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Through it all, he faced each challenge with quiet determination and a focus on the day he could get back to running 5Ks, shooting hoops, and enjoying family vacations again.
The Day the News Landed
On Thursday, July 31, Cody arrived at Flight Works Alabama expecting an ordinary day. Instead, he walked into a life-changing moment.
Magic Moments, the Alabama-based wish-granting organization, joined forces with Airbus to reveal the big news: Cody and his family are heading to Orlando for a whirlwind adventure at Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.
It’s the kind of trip where favorite characters step off the screen, rides take you into whole new worlds, and everyday worries are replaced by laughter, magic, and maybe a little ice cream in the Florida sun.
A Connection in the Sky
The celebration carried an extra layer of meaning.
Before his surprise was revealed, Cody toured the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility, where his father, Phillip, works assembling aircraft on the A320 Final Assembly Line.
Many of Phillip’s colleagues were there, gathered in support, as part of a growing tradition between Airbus and Magic Moments.
This was the third time the partnership has granted a wish to a local child, and for Airbus team members, Cody’s story felt close to home.
“When we learned that Cody was a member of our extended Airbus family, we were eager to help make this a meaningful and memorable experience,” said Daryl Taylor, Senior Vice President of Commercial Aircraft Operations for Airbus in the U.S.
A Partnership Built on Heart
Magic Moments Executive Director Rachel Rounsaville shared that working with Airbus has allowed them to bring joy and hope to families in ways that go beyond the moment itself.
“The generosity and creativity of the Airbus employees has helped turn dreams into reality,” she said.
For the Scott family, the day was overwhelming in the best possible way.
“We are so grateful and proud to be a part of the Airbus family, and now members of the Magic Moments family,” they said.
Their thanks extended beyond the trip itself, acknowledging the strength found in a community that stands together through the challenges pediatric cancer brings.
More Than Just a Trip
Since 1984, Magic Moments has granted over 5,000 wishes to children in Alabama living with life-threatening or severe life-altering medical conditions.
Their work doesn’t stop when the wish is granted—programs like Family Camp and regional events offer ongoing support, creating bonds that last far beyond one special day.
For Cody, the Orlando adventure will be a celebration of resilience, a reward for courage, and a chance to make new memories after a year defined by hospital visits and hard days.
For those who know him—and even those who don’t—it’s a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful journeys start with a little bit of magic and a whole lot of heart.
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