Fox Point teen diagnosed with leukemia gets wish granted thanks to local 'Amazing Race'

Make-A-Wish Wisconsin helped a Fox Point teen's wish come true with a Milwaukee version of “The Amazing Race.”

“It was inspired by the fact that I was in intensive care, I was isolated and it was not a fun experience. And so I think that part of me just wanted to have that kind of feeling of freedom,” said Theresa Reisel. .

Reisel was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer, more than two years ago.

“It requires very intense chemotherapy. And for me, it was about six months of chemo,” she explained.

Reisel said many people diagnosed with this type of cancer spend even more time in the intensive care unit.

“Resilience is being able to move forward and say, 'I'll do it again. Another day, and I'll move again another day,'” she said.

During her recovery, Reisel found support from her best friend, Ella Steiner said.

“I'm so grateful for this. I'm so grateful that people were able to step up and be a part of this. And I'm really grateful for my best friend, Ella,” Reisel said.

“I'm just here for her. Honestly, I'll do anything to make sure she's okay,” Steiner said.

Reisel's entire support system showed up for the local “Amazing Race,” which included nine teams, each consisting of two members.

“We have nine teams and Theresa is on one of those teams. Each team is two people. A lot of the teams, our team, are actually former Wish kids that we call Wish alumni.” , said Forrest Doolen of Make-A. -I wish Wisconsin.

Teams followed clues near Discovery World and downtown Milwaukee, spreading a message of resilience and hope.

“She wanted these teams to all have stories of resilience because that's who she is. She's a resilient kid fighting AML. And so she really wanted to share these inspiring stories and she wanted to inspire others with his wish,” Doolen said.

Reisel wanted to pass on a message of hope to anyone else on their cancer journey.

She told WISN 12 News she is cancer free.

Click here to view photos or download images from Theresa's Amazing Race.