A 12-year-old Cherry Hill boy is preparing for a family safari in South Africa after a Make-A-Wish surprise at Subaru of Cherry Hill on Monday, Nov. 2.
Mateo Malcarney learned about the trip at a celebration hosted by Make-A-Wish New Jersey and the dealership, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The newspaper said he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in May 2025 and learned he was in remission just over a year before the event.
“I've never been and I feel like it'd be a cool experience,” Mateo told the Inquirer about his wish.
The newspaper reported that Make-A-Wish New Jersey and Subaru of Cherry Hill organized and funded the safari. Mateo, his parents, Keith and Patricia, and his 8-year-old brother, Carlos, were expected to leave within days of the celebration.
Mateo said he and Carlos were especially eager to see the animals known as Africa's Big Five: buffalo, rhinos, lions, leopards and elephants.
The party included an animal presentation by Zoophoria NJ. Keith Malcarney told the newspaper that treatment and physical therapy had helped Mateo return close to his condition before the diagnosis.
The dealership has an ongoing relationship with Make-A-Wish New Jersey. A partner account on its website says the charity was its hometown beneficiary for a third consecutive Share the Love event, running Nov. 20, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2026. The account also describes the dealership funding and hosting a wish reveal for another child, Chase, whose trip involved fishing and swimming with dolphins in the Florida Keys.
