Syracuse teen gets wish to swim with pigs in the Bahamas

SYRACUSE, NY — A Syracuse teenager suffering from end-stage kidney failure learns one of her wishes will be granted.

Santana Cheek, 16, wants to swim with the famous pigs in the Bahamas.

On Friday, the Make-A-Wish and Macy's crew along with a couple of pot-bellied pigs surprised her.

Santana has always loved pigs.

She got a chance to get up close and personal with a couple of pot-bellied pigs.

However, she was not at a farm , she was inside Macy's at Destiny USA.

"O my God. This is crazy," Santana Cheek said.

It was all part of big surprise put on by Make-A-Wish and Macy's.

Santana's one wish is to swim with the pigs of the Bahamas.

The big unveil came complete with a march through the mall amid Christmas carols.

However, the star of the show were the pigs and plans to send Santana to the Bahamas.

It is famous for the unique opportunity to take plunge with the aquatic pigs.

"I thought it would be exciting because I love pigs and I really like the ocean," Santana said.

Santana's mom says the pigs, warm water and sun will be a nice break from the reality of illness.

"She's got end stage kidney failure. So, she needs a new kidney," Desiree Finster, Santana's mom, said.

Santana was born with a disorder that ravaged her kidneys.

The family knew eventually, she would need new ones -- and just recently, they found out the time is now.

Since then, she has been on dialysis.

"It's been a long, hard road and just to see her happy and smiling really felt good," Finster said.

Make-A-Wish and Macy's giving a teenager, living in a world of doctors, hospitals and medicine a chance to be a kid again while she bravely fights for her future.