Today, Make-A-Wish New Zealand has been granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses for 42 years.
Every year all the affiliates around the world come together to celebrate World Wish Day on April 29 by memorising Christopher James Greicius, an energetic 7-year-old boy battling leukemia who inspired the largest wish-granting organization in the world.
Chris had dreamed of being a police officer. In 1980, his community made his wish come true. Sadly, Chris passed away shortly afterward - his wish creates a movement that transform millions of lives worldwide.
When you help grant a wish, you restore hope for a child. A wish is a turning point in a child's medical journey that opens the door to exciting possibilities.
Here is a story telling about how a wish had a life-changing effect on wish child Addison and her family.
When Addy was born, her mum and dad were shocked to discover their baby girl had a critical condition in the form of a blood disorder. She would need a bone marrow transplant to survive. That time came when Addy was only six years old.
"She's so brave, but in the middle of the treatment she was crying, 'Mummy, I don't want to do this anymore'. It broke my heart," said Dulcie, Addy's mum.
And yet they were so unwell, spending their lives in and out of hospital, facing harsh treatments. But sometimes it can get so hard, they lose hope they will ever get better.
While things changed when Addy was in hospital, she found out she could apply for a wish. Dulcie says she was instantly excited.
"She was like, 'Wow!'. Then she kept bringing it up: 'Have you applied for the wish? Have you heard about the wish?'" said Dulcie.
"It's something to look forward to. Something that's not medical or related to the hospital."
Addy, who loves all creatures great and small, wished to be a zookeeper. Thus, Hamilton Zoo and Butterfly Creek have come on board! On her birthday, the Make-A-Wish volunteer surprised her by delivering a big box.
Addy's face lit up with excitement when she opened it. It was filled with all the things she needed to be a zookeeper, so she knew her wish was going to be granted.
"Addy was so happy! She wore her zookeeper outfit around the house," said Dulcie.
Despite COVID restrictions, Addy was able to get up-close-and-personal with her favourite creatures.
Her dad, Ken, said she had a wonderful day with her family and best friend, Grace.
Addy said her favourite part was seeing the crocodiles: "The man held the meat right up to the glass and we got a big fright!"
Together, we can make more wishes come true
Research has found that children who receive a wish are less distressed, depressed, and anxious. Instead, they have hope for their future and a better chance of recovering.
Wishes like Addy's would simply not be possible without caring people like you. However, Make-A-Wish New Zealand will receive more than 200 new wish applications this year.
Each of these applications represents a child with a life-threatening illness. These children also need a promise that their wish can come true.
When you donate to a wish, you are giving a child a dream to focus on. You can be their light during gruelling hospital stays, treatments, and procedures. A wish begins with a hope - and hope begins with you. Restore hope with a wish.
Will you donate to a wish today, to give a child like Addy hope for the future?
This media was donated to Make a Wish by Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand.
