Idol lights up little girl's life

While she may not call him her boyfriend as much to avoid teasing by her sisters, Mackenzie Johnson still has a bond with an American Idol.

It started when the 6-year-old first saw Ace Young during the show's fifth season.

The bond has grown, including meeting him backstage in concert and playing with him in her hospital room one month before a transplant to help her battle leukemia.

The gifts Young has given the Wauconda girl are something her mom, Amy, is grateful for.

A story, told by Amy, highlighting the impact the show -- and Young -- had on Mackenzie's life is among the featured stories in "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul."

"He has been a bright light during a very dark time in her life," she wrote in her story titled "One Simple World."

Serving as co-author of "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul" is Debra Poneman. An American Idol fan since the first season, the book features stories shared by top 12 Idols, crew members, fans and judges. Mackenzie's story is one that will touch the heart and build the spirit.

"You have to have a heart of stone not to be touched by her story," she said.

Poneman said Mackenzie has become a superstar, so when plans began for the Chicago-area book signings, Mackenzie was also invited. She will sign books along with American Idol top 10 finalists Gina Glocksen and Jim Verraros, and Poneman.

"When we do the signings for Chicago, we think more people will come out to get her autograph than the Idols," Poneman said.

Mackenzie's battle with leukemia began before she was a year old. When her leukemia returned a second time last January, the family traveled to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for treatment. Amy said a highlight for Mackenzie was support from Young and his fans.

Visiting the post office across from the hospital, she would return with bags filled with letters and packages.

"Her room was filled wall to wall with Ace," Amy said.

After taking the drugs that first put her into remission, Mackenzie then underwent a non-related umbilical cord blood transplant on May 15. Young visited Mackenzie before her transplant in April.

A month after the transplant, Amy was contacted by one of the writers of "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul" to see if she would write a story about Mackenzie.

"I told her if it comes from the heart, it will be easy," Amy said.

Amy wanted to portray the joy Young has given Mackenzie. His dedication and concern provided her with a distraction and kept her going. A bigger gift was his fans.

"Here we are over 1½ years since we met Ace. They are still just as involved, just as caring and loving to our family as the first day," she said.

Since her transplant and return to Wauconda last November, Amy said Mackenzie is doing remarkably well. Now after missing much of last season's "American Idol" in the hospital, Amy said Mackenzie is geared up to watch next season.

And thanks to her teachers, who work with her at home, she is getting her ready for the book signings.

"She is so excited about writing her name," Amy said. "She is just learning to write her name."

Amy said the book signing gives her family the chance to meet many of Ace's fans who support her family but whom they have never met.

"The fans feel very attached to her and love her like their own child," she said. "I am excited to meet some of these people, say thank you face to face and give them a hug."

Mackenzie's signing schedule

Book signings for "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul" where Mackenzie Johnson will appear include:

• 3 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Webster Place, 1441 W. Webster Ave., Chicago

• 2 p.m. Sunday at Borders Books and Music, 336 S. Route 59, Naperville

• 2 p.m. Jan. 26 at Borders Books and Music, 1700 Maple Ave., Evanston

An excerpt

The following is an excerpt from "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul," written by Mackenzie Johnson's mother, Amy:

One Simple Word

Mackenzie was diagnosed with leukemia when she was just over a year old. We were 15 months into treatment and our world was crushed in a fraction of time by what the doctors shared, "This news is not good. Mack has relapsed." As intensive chemotherapy began, so did the fifth season of American Idol.

Chemo had been extremely difficult for Mack's little body to tolerate, but there was something special about gathering around the television together on Tuesday nights -- it gave us a brief escape from our reality. In the beginning, Mack would drag herself to the inner circle of the couch just to be with her four older sisters. Until the night she was introduced to Ace Young and he sang "Father Figure" -- that song and night changed everything.

We all heard it … the simple word that changed my daughter's life … "naked." There was a brief moment of silence as Lindsay, Taylor, Kali and Lexie sat in sheer embarrassment, their cheeks turning pink. I wondered whether anyone had picked up on the word until Mack, who was lying like a dishrag, sat up and began laughing hysterically. "Ace say, 'naked!' " she blurted out through her laughter. Breaking the uncomfortable stillness, all five girls burst out giggling. I was not about to inform them of the actual lyrics to the song. But, because of my daughter's age, there was just something about the word "naked" that she found hysterically funny. This simple word was the start of Mack's adoration for Ace Young.

Mack watched that performance over and over again, until she had every word memorized. And sisters, being sisters, began fueling the fire, "Do you love, Ace?" "Is Ace your boyfriend?" As the conversations about Ace became more frequent in our home, we could see that twinkle return to Mack's eye, and we saw her experience pure joy in the midst of her suffering. As her mom, it was the greatest gift anyone could have given us.

The week Ace fell short of votes, we were at Cincinnati Children's Hospital for cranial radiation. Mack's relapse had occurred in her spinal fluid and this was the last intensive part of her regime before beginning the maintenance round of chemo. I had a feeling Ace might be voted off that night and I tried to prepare her for this disappointment. I held my breath waiting for her reaction, but it wasn't what I had expected. Ryan read the name, "Leaving us tonight is … Ace Young." Mack jumped up and down on her bed, clapping her hands proudly proclaiming, "See, I told you!!" Like a slap in the face, I realized what was going through her little head. She thought Ace had won! How on earth would I ease the blow to soften the news? Her 9-year-old sister, Kali, took it into her own hands, "You'll never see Ace again!" she shouted. Instantly, Mack broke into uncontrollable tears. We tried everything to console her, but nothing could stop those tears from rolling down her swollen cheeks. Out of desperation, I pulled out the trump card.

"Mack, you'll see Ace again. We'll go to the Idol concert!" As if I had just flipped a switch, the tears ceased and her smile returned. That was all she needed -- she looked forward to that concert and counted the days until she would finally see her Idol.

"Mommy, it's here, it's here!" The day arrived. Our first stop was the souvenir counter where Mack had bolted over to immediately, "Mommy, Ace! It's Ace in the picture!" I couldn't pay the vendor fast enough. Mack had to have it in her hands at once! She hugged it, kissed it, and waved it in the air throughout the show. As soon as Ace came out on stage, Mackenzie could hardly contain herself! She jumped to her feet screaming, "Dares my boyfwend -- dare he is!!!" The binoculars were glued to her eyes and she was in her glory. He mesmerized her.

Meeting Ace after the concert took her love for him to a new level. The room was full of people, but Mack left us all behind, weaving in and out of the many legs that towered over her, making her way right up to Ace. With confidence, she stood staring up at him with her big brown eyes, as if he should've known who she was. The expression on her face was so matter of fact, like she had known him her entire life. In her mind, she did know him and he was a huge part of her life. Her affection and adoration became apparent as he knelt down to her and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Ace held her tightly and he whispered into her ear, "Hello Mack. Can I give you a big hug, too?" Mack put her head to Ace's heart and she melted. There is nothing more beautiful or pure than a child's love.

Ace genuinely cares. He possesses a quality that enables the rest of the world to disappear and it was as if they were the only two in the room. For a little girl at the tender age of 3, who has endured more than most of us will in a lifetime, it was magical. Ace Young has an amazing heart and it was his tenderness and compassion that drew our little girl in.

In the months to follow, Ace's fans began to rally around our family. They poured out they're hearts in support of Mackenzie and gave selflessly in their relentless efforts to carry some of our burdens. It is amazing to be on the receiving end of so much love from people whom we have never met. So when our lives were turned upside down for a second time with that haunting word "relapse," we had an army of highrollers going with us into battle.

We uprooted and headed back to Cincinnati Children's Hospital knowing this second relapse would require a prolonged hospitalization, as a bone marrow transplant was her only chance for life. In a matter of days, the mail began rolling in and Mack's walls filled with pictures of Ace and letters from his incredible fans. The hospital staff was amazed as I rolled in big canvas post office bins full of mail and packages for Mack. The surprise of Mackenzie's life came when she heard a knock at her hospital door. She sat up and saw a curly-haired figure peek into her room. Her eyes grew round, "Ace, is that you? ACE!!" she screamed! Mack jumped out of bed and ran into his arms. Wasting no time, she quickly pulled him into her world. "Jump on the trampoline with me, Ace! It's easy … I'll show you!" Ace climbed up without hesitation and together they held hands and jumped. Mack rode her bicycle down the hospital halls for him, and she brought him into the playroom where they sat on the floor singing together with other children. Having Ace visit meant the world to Mack. He had made a difference. After 136 days in the hospital, her leukemia went into remission.

Mack still has a long road ahead, but Ace Young continues to inspire and motivate her every step of the way. He has been a bright light during a very dark time in her life.

As Mack and I sat together on her hospital bed one morning I said, "Mackie, what would you wish for if you could only have one wish?" My daughter looked at me, lit up, and answered without hesitation, "I want to marwee Ace."

Reprinted from "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul" by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Debra Halperin Poneman.