From the moment she arrived at Macy's Friday, Isatu was treated like the rock star she one day hopes to be. The red carpet treatment and adoring fans were all a part of an effort to help the sickle cell anemia patient live her dream.
"I think its going to be like really fun when I sing to all the people in America," Isatu told ABC 7.
Isatu was born with the usually fatal disease that affects the body's ability to produce healthy red blood cells, but her father says his daughter never quits.
"It's not about what is happening here, but what I see my daughter going through and she's no longer going through that," said Moussa Cissoko, father.
Isatu's 9-year-old brother donated some of his bone marrow to help keep his sister alive.
"It makes me feel happy," said Lassana Cissoko, brother.
After helping her, Chicago firefighter escorts delivered letters to Santa they have collected which garnered $40,000 in donations. Isatu then belted out a few verses of her favorite Beyonce song before getting a mini-make over and meeting with personal shopper Brenda Davis for her stage debut.
Moments later, there was the big reveal of what Isatu will wear for her performance, courtesy of Macy's and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"We're excited about granting 9,000 wishes in the state of Illinois and more than 700 wishes this year," said Jessica Miller, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois.
It's a part of the retailer's Believe holiday campaign.
"It's all a part of the Christmas spirit," said Andrea Schwartz, Macy's.
