Photo Courtesy of SB County Sheriff Dept.
Abigail, 12, is granted wish to fly in San Bernardino Sheriff Department’s 40King helicopter made possible by S.B. and Riverside Sheriffs’ and the Loma Linda Children’s Hospital based Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation.

Staff Reports
San Bernardino County – Twelve-year-old Abigail Snipes, who was born with a genetic nerve disorder that causes tumors, told her mother she dreamed about flying someday. On Oct. 21, Abigail’s wish was granted, thanks to the San Bernardino Sheriff Department’s Aviation Division and the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation.
Abigail was born with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder of the nerves. Abigail and her family have spent most of her life in and out of hospitals. Recently, doctors told Abigail and her family that nothing can be done for her growing tumor and an operation would be too dangerous.
Abigail and her mother Angela arrived at the San Bernardino Airport where they were greeted by several members of the Sheriff Department. They were given a special tour of the Sheriff’s Aviation Division. Following the tour, Abigail was given some helpful instructions by sheriffs while getting strapped into the sheriff’s 40King helicopter.
Donning a big smile and helicopter helmet, Abigail’s wish to fly came true as the helicopter flew around the Inland Empire.
The tour and flight was made possible through the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation (DCMF), the San Bernardino County Safety Employees Association (SEBA) and the Riverside Sheriffs’ Association (RSA).
DCMF, SEBA and RSA have worked together for over 15 years to grant wishes of catastrophically ill children throughout the Inland Empire. The charity is named after 12 year old Debbie Chisholm, the daughter of Riverside County Deputy Sheriff Fred Chisholm. After a very hard fight with brain cancer, Debbie died in February of 1994. DCMF has granted over 400 wishes of sick children and provided gifts to more than 3,000 pediatric cancer patients at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.