Young girl from Make-a-Wish flips the switch for Harbor Lights Festival and Otter Trotter 5k

On Wednesday night runners from the Mississippi’s Aquarium’s Otter Trotter 5k and Fun Run made their way around Jones Park, illuminated by the festive displays of the Harbor Lights Festival. However this year was a little extra special, as the switch to get the party started was flipped by Mykelti Eldred, a young girl only 5 years old who has  fought her own battle with kidney cancer.

Through the Make-a-Wish foundation, Mykelti flipped the switch to light up Jones Park, surrounded by friends, loved city officials, and even Santa Claus. Even after her battle with cancer in which her left kidney was removed along with 20% percent of her right and 17 rounds of chemotherapy, Mykelti was full of the Christmas spirit and beyond excited to be the one to light up the night.