The Wish impact
Wishes have a lasting impact on wish kids
In November 2020 we celebrated 35 years of wishes coming true for Australian wish kids!
Make-A-Wish wouldn’t exist without you - our community - and we’d like to thank members of the Wish Force (past and present) for believing in the impact of a wish and creating a lasting effect on the lives of sick kids, their families and communities.
Read on the see the lasting impact of a wish, something that you are a part of every day!
Xanthe, the animal lover
When Xanthe was nine years old she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Xanthe had to relocate from her Cairns home to a hospital in Brisbane, away from most of her family for months at a time. She had treatment for two-and-a-half years.
In 2014, when Xanthe was 12 years old, her wish to meet Dr Chris Brown from TV show ‘Bondi Vet’ came true. Xanthe said her wish experience was everything she had imagined.
During her time with Dr Chris, Xanthe told him that she was interested in becoming a vet. He encouraged her dreams, gifting her with a stethoscope.
Now 19, Xanthe is working at her local vet clinic and studying to be a Veterinary Nurse. Xanthe is also an ambassador for Make-A-Wish and in recent years has spoken at functions, talking first-hand about the impact of life-changing wishes for sick children.
Fond memories for Hayley
Hayley was born with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder which causes large tumours attached to her face, neck and back. Since childhood, she has had about 15 operations to ‘debulk’ the tumours, particularly on her face.
“They have all been life-threatening operations.
We have spent the majority of our life at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne,” Hayley’s father Andrew said. Heartbreakingly, Hayley’s tumours have all grown back. The condition has also left her blind in her right eye and deaf in her right ear.
Hayley’s wish in 2008 was to visit Queensland and experience all the theme parks on the Gold Coast. It not only gave her lifelong memories but priceless time with her mum months before she passed away from cancer. “It was the last holiday I had with my mum, and I know she enjoyed that time. I always thank
Make-A-Wish for making me and my mum happy.”
Now 21, Hayley’s greatest wish is to find a part-time job. Hayley feels the way she looks may discourage some employers from giving her a chance. She says she will give almost anything a go, but most of all, she wants to do something that helps others. Andrew marvels at how far Hayley has come. He believes the power of her 2008 wish, especially the moments with her mum, still drives her.
“Knowing your mum is passing away and leaving you as a nine or 10-year-old would have been horrendous,” he said.
“But for Make-A-Wish to come along and give them a holiday meant for that week, Hayley and her brother didn’t have to worry about their mum passing on. Make-A-Wish was a shining light at a very dark time.”