On Sunday morning — Star Wars Day — nearly 20 Star Wars enthusiasts dressed as Mandalorians, Rebel pilots, and a lone Stormtrooper gathered at Portland International Airport to surprise and send off 5-year-old Raiden “Ray Ray” Pham and his family on a Make-A-Wish trip to Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawaii.
Raiden, who has a rare and severe neurological disorder called UBA5, arrived with his parents, as costumed volunteers brought lightsabers and smiles to the early-morning terminal crowd.
The Pham family has raised $1.3 million through grassroots efforts to develop a treatment for Raiden’s ultra-rare condition. The airport sendoff — organized by Make-A-Wish Oregon in partnership with local Star Wars costume clubs — was a powerful moment of community, joy, and hope for a family fighting a heartbreaking battle.
“May the 4th be with you,” said Raiden’s dad as they departed, surrounded by a crowd of galactic supporters.