When Mark and Kenna Reinhardt of Apex were told that their little girl, Haidyn, then 3, was a Make-A-Wish child, it was the last thing they wanted to hear.

“I remember Mark said, ‘my daughter is not sick,’” his wife recalls.

“Kids that have life-threatening illnesses qualify for Make-A-Wish.”

Almost a year into Haidyn’s struggle with leukemia, she was granted her wish — a new swing set for her and her brother.

“She and her brother had been talking about how all the neighbors had big swing sets with tree forts and tables underneath,” Kenna said.

For Kenna, the wish wasn’t just about bringing joy to Haidyn’s life, but about “making it better” for the whole family. “The whole family goes through a sick child’s process,” Kenna said.

The Reinhardts will be sharing their Make-A-Wish experience at The Wish Ball, which will be held April 5 at Prestonwood Country Club. The ball will include live and silent auctions and a live band. Proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern N.C.

“We want to give the families a way to get away from the day-to-day struggles that they face. ... Anyone is able to attend,” said Cindy Williams of Make-A-Wish.

“Struggle” is a word that is familiar to the Reinhardts. When Haidyn was diagnosed, “It was the time of year when everyone had viruses, and she wasn’t acting herself,” Kenna said.

Haidyn went to a pediatrician’s office and was taken to UNC Hospital that day. She was admitted to the intensive care unit. Within weeks she was diagnosed with leukemia.

It was then that a doctor at UNC told the Reinhardts that Haidyn qualified for Make-A-Wish. The parents, both in disbelief, took time to warm up to the idea. But now, Kenna says she can’t even describe how she feels about the Make-A-Wish Foundation. And Haidyn loves her swing set.

“She’s outside playing on it right now,” Kenna said.

She says she looks at her daughter sometimes and forgets about the cancer. Haidyn is a rambunctious child with an “infectious smile and laugh” and big brown eyes.

But for the mother and father, the fear of losing their child is never out of their minds.

“Every penny that you throw into the water fountain and every candle you blow out on the birthday cake, that’s what you wish for,” Kenna said, her voice cracking.

The Wish Ball Ticketsl Tickets to The Wish Ball are $125 per person or $1,100 per table, which holds up to 10 people. For information, visit eastncwish.org.