Beyond The Wish - Adam
Meet Adam Cuthbertson-Chin, who is still feeling the impact of his wish two decades later.
Adam beat non-Hodgkins lymphoma as a teenager and has been raising money for Make-A-Wish ever since.
Beyond The Wish is our series of inspirational reads exploring the impact of wishes long after they have been delivered.
Hundreds gather for Adam's wish
Adam Cuthbertson-Chin’s voice starts to quiver when he is asked about Make-A-Wish.
It may have been 18 years since his wish was granted, but the impact Make-A-Wish had is seared into his memory.
“I really want kids to have the same opportunities that I had,” Adam, gathering his words, says.
“Make-A-Wish is such an amazing organisation and brings so much happiness and joy for kids and families that are going through tough times.”
Adam was 19 in 2006 (pictured) when his wish was granted for a belated 18th birthday party. He was receiving chemotherapy on his 18th birthday so was too unwell to celebrate on the actual day.
About 250 people attended his Make-A-Wish party.
“To have those moments where you forget the terrible times you are having and enjoy an experience that you would not ordinarily be able to have is very special,” Adam said.
Reaching new heights for wishes
Adam’s passionate words for Make-A-Wish have been backed up by his actions.
In 2017, he raised money for Make-A-Wish by trekking 19 days to the Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
Adam reached base camp proudly wearing his Make-A-Wish cap.
“I put it out there to friends and family on social media, with the official support of Make-A-Wish, and raised about $3200,” Adam said.
“Every day of the trek I would wear the Make-A-Wish cap and every day I would put it on I would think I’m doing this not only for my own journey but to raise awareness and funds so there can be more wishes.”
As he stood at the top of base camp, Adam pointed at his Make-A-Wish cap and posed for photos to mark his achievement.
“Make-A-Wish definitely was on my mind,” he said.
“I fulfilled my promise not only to myself but also to the Make-A-Wish community and all the incredible people who donated to my fundraising.
“I felt so proud and it was an honour to have represented Make-A-Wish in this amazing way.”
Anxiety then resilience in health journey
Adam was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma at age 17.
Initially Adam said he put his head in the sand and didn’t want to know about his illness.
He had six months of chemotherapy, which ravaged his body. Adam also started feeling anxiety on the way to his chemo appointments, sometimes vomiting in the car.
However, Adam’s mindset changed and he found some resilience within. He joined his high school’s production of Grease, and after getting the go-ahead from doctors, went on a school camp to Nepal.
“I never ever thought lymphoma would beat me,” Adam said.
“I just said ‘This is not going to be who I am’. There was so much more to life that I wanted to do. Not once (did I think I wouldn’t make it).”
The other boost Adam received during his medical journey was from Make-A-Wish.
At a time when his phone would ring exclusively for medical appointments or test results, Make-A-Wish was different.
“Make-A-Wish was an outlet of difference: to have an independent organisation that was bringing good news meant so much,” Adam said.
Speech gives Adam new confidence
For his wish, Adam tossed around the idea of a family holiday or a laptop for his impending nursing studies but nothing felt right.
“What I really wanted to do is go back and thank everyone who helped me when I was sick,” Adam said.
“I didn’t want to do something that I felt was selfish. I wanted it to be inclusive of everybody.
“I didn’t get the opportunity to have an 18th birthday party because I was going through chemo. So, the idea came about to do a belated 18th birthday party when I was better.”
Make-A-Wish organised a couple of Adam’s favourite local bands to play at his party, as well as a limousine for Adam and set up the venue.
When Adam took the microphone to give a speech it was the first time he had ever done so in public.
“I did not feel comfortable public speaking and I shied away from it for such a long time,” he said.
“But Make-A-Wish was the starting point, the first step to being comfortable with public speaking."
“Shortly after my wish, I got to speak at the Make-A-Wish Gala Ball fundraiser about the incredibly positive impact the experience provided."
“I have since in my career as a Urology Nurse Practitioner gone on to present at national conferences. Make-A-Wish kickstarted all that.”
Passing on the wish baton to Jett
Adam said the impact of his wish lives on two decades later.
The 37-year-old believes Make-A-Wish has increased his empathy for others.
“Make-A-Wish has contributed to my mindset of gratefulness,” Adam said.
“I’m always thinking of other people and have empathy for other people and knowing that in every terrible situation there can be a positive light.”
Adam shares the power of wishes with everyone in his life, starting with his husband Grant (pictured) whom he wed in 2018.
Not long after, friends of the couple offered to help Adam and Grant have a baby.
“One awesome friend offered to be our egg donor and another equally-awesome friend offered to be our surrogate,” Adam said.
“So now we have a two-and-a-half year old boy named Jett. He’s the centre of our world.”
And Adam can’t wait to tell Jett all about Make-A-Wish.
“We already want to instil in him the importance of giving back and that will include Make-A-Wish,” Adam said.
“We want him to be aware of how he can contribute to the awesome organisation that Make-A-Wish is.”
Adam said he wanted everyone to know how important donations were for Make-A-Wish to continue granting wishes.
“From my perspective, it’s a pretty unique organisation in terms of being able to deliver that humanity and sense of joy to people when they are in an awful situation,” Adam said.
“Make-A-Wish has a lasting impact on a wish kid and their family's life."
"I know that a wish lasts forever. Once you’re a wish kid, you’re always a wish kid.”
