The Make-A-Wish-Foundation and Barber RV in Ventura helped grant the wish of 10-year-old Ben Sanford.

The Cayucos resident is battling cystic fibrosis and his condition makes him eligible to receive a wish from the foundation. His heartfelt wish was to receive a travel trailer to go on trips with his family.

Earlier this month, Ben was surprised with an 18-foot Sonoma Travel Trailer. He traveled to Ventura with his parents, Linda and Howard, and his brother Matt, thinking he was going to visit a family friend.

Because of his chronic immunocompromised condition, Ben must be very careful that he does not contract any pathogens while away from home. His medicine requires refrigeration and he must always travel with his airway clearance vest. "This wish means freedom for Ben," his mom, Linda said. "He can go camping and fishing and I won't have to worry about the high level of cleanliness required by Ben's condition."

According to his parents, Ben expressed his wish several years ago while lying in bed watching television with them. He said all he wanted was to go camping and sit on a bank and fish in a river. When volunteers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation met with Ben, he already knew exactly what he wanted: a travel trailer. "I want a wish that lasts more than seven days," he said.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation then turned to Barber RV Center for help with Ben's wish. Barber RV, the largest sales service RV facility in the Tri-Counties, stepped-up to the plate with its 35 years of experience and incredible display of generosity. Thanks to their help, Ben was presented with a fully equipped trailer complete with sleeping accommodations for the family, a bathroom, kitchen and extra safety features.

The RV center also provided the trailer at below cost, providing more than $5,000 in discounts and services. This is the second wish Barber RV has granted for the foundation.

"It warms our hearts to know that Barber RV is helping to enhance Ben's life," said Michael Arrambide, Barber RV's general sales manager. "Children with health problems often learn how special a family is. We are happy to know that the RV will bring joy to this young man and plenty of opportunities to spend time with his family."

The foundation's mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The philosophy is simple, but powerful — every child who has had part of their childhood robbed due to their life-threatening condition deserves a wish, and the goal is to continue saying "yes" to any qualified child. Through a network of 69 chapters in the United States, about 150,000 wishes have been granted, with a wish granted every 41 minutes. However, more than 25,000 children annually are diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition but only 50 percent of them currently are referred to the Make-A-Wish organization.

The local chapter, which serves Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, granted 72 wishes last year. The community's support is urgently needed to significantly increase its referrals and resources.

To find out how you can help make wishes come true visit the Web site http://www.tri-counties.wish.org.

Barber RV Center is at 3650 E Main St. in Ventura. On the Web visit www.barberrv.com.