Make-a-Wish: Recent Wishes

Joe Calzaghe grants young fan’s wish

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Boxing legend Joe Calzaghe has come out of retirement to make seven year old Owen’s wish come true! Thanks to Make-A-Wish Owen, who is fighting cancer, met his idol...

Owen, from Bromsgrove, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December 2010. Around a month into chemotherapy, he started having trouble with his legs and had to stop playing rugby. His doctor suggested skipping to build strength in his tendons so Owen started going to the local boxing gym – he now loves boxing so much he trains four times a week and hopes to one day be heavyweight champion of the world!

On the day of his wish, Owen and his family were picked up in a limousine and taken to All Stars Boxing Gym in North Kensington where they were greeted by Joe. A star-struck Owen did some warm-up skipping with Joe before getting into the ring, where they sparred for ten rounds and it was decided that Owen was the outright winner – Joe even said that Owen was the best seven year old boxer he had seen! Owen was then given a pair of signed gloves before asking for some top tips from the pro. Joe, Owen and his family were then treated to lunch and Joe signed some cards for Owen to give to his friends. After meeting Joe, Owen said: ”It was better than brilliant!”

His Dad, Peter, said: “Throughout his treatment Owen was an inspiration to the whole family; even in the darkest hour we could rely on Owen to have a smile on his face…” After Owen’s wish he said: “It was more than I could have ever expected for Owen. What a great guy Joe is, and thank you to Make-A-Wish.”

Full steam ahead for Ernie’s wish!

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Ernie was diagnosed with eye cancer at just three months old. Now four, he’s fascinated by trains, so it wasn’t a shock that his wish should involve a very special one...

Ernie and his family were treated to a special day at Barrow Hill Roundhouse in Chesterfield where they were able to see the Tornado steam train, built from scratch between 1990 and 2008. Ernie, from Saffron Walden in Essex, chose his wish after watching a Top Gear episode where the presenters set a race involving the Tornado steam train, a Jaguar car and a motorbike (the Jaguar won!) – he loved the episode so much that he watched it over and over again when he was unwell.

After being diagnosed with Bilateral Retinoblastoma (eye cancer) Ernie endured six cycles of chemotherapy and underwent operations every three weeks for the first three years of his life. After his second birthday, his condition seriously deteriorated and he had to have a further five cycles of chemotherapy and spent most of the next five months in hospital. As a result of the eye cancer, Ernie is severely visually impaired but is currently in remission. He continues to be closely monitored with frequent hospital appointments and operations.

On arrival at Barrow Hill, an excited Ernie was taken to the engine shed before being shown the way to the Tornado. Ernie and his brother Stanley, aged six, spent the next two hours driving up and down the track, shovelling coal into the firebox, pulling the whistle and of course wearing the train driver’s hat! Ernie was then taken on a tour of some of the other trains before jumping aboard a High Speed Train for a special tour around the cab and power compartment – they got to press the horn and start the engine.

Ernie’s Mum, Lisa, said: “I asked Ernie if he felt special on his trip and he said ‘No, I just felt like an ordinary train driver’. I think that says it all!”.

She added: “The best part for me was seeing Ernie well enough to really enjoy his wish. It was also magical to see the boys – and their Dad! – enjoying themselves.”

Jordanne meets The Wanted!

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Like many other girls her age, 14 year old Jordanne wished to meet chart-topping boy band The Wanted...

Jordanne, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 (an incurable muscle-wasting disease), travelled from her home in Gloucestershire to meet band members Max, Siva, Jay, Tom and Nathan at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff before they took to the stage as part of their first ever UK arena tour.

Before meeting the band Jordanne, who relies heavily on her pink electric wheelchair, was able to listen to the sound check along with her Mum, Samantha, and sister, Shannon. Jordanne was so overwhelmed when Siva blew her a kiss and Jay came down to speak to her that she cried! After the sound check she finally got to meet them all, including her favourite – Nathan – who had a discussion with her about the quality of his bacon sandwiches! After meeting the band Jordanne said: “This was what I had been waiting for, for two weeks, and it was overwhelming. I really love them!”

Jordanne was diagnosed with SMA Type 2 when she was just two years old. In 2008 she had a scoliosis repair to straighten her spine and currently sleeps on a ventilator. Jordanne’s Mum, Samantha, explains how her illness restricts her from doing certain things and the family as a whole have to be more aware of everything. She said: “I’m really pleased that Make-A-Wish was able to fulfil her wish – we’re very grateful to the charity.”

Jordanne went on to say: “There wasn’t just one good moment, the whole thing was amazing! ...I’m still getting flustered and excited about it now. Thank you, Make-A-Wish, for everything you do and have done for me. That little bit of magic still brightens up my down days.”

A perfect day for Princess Allanya

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Three year old Allanya lives with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Last month, Make-A-Wish granted her wish to be a princess for the day.

Allanya, who is from Liverpool, had her princess wish at De Vere Cameron House in Loch Lomond. She started her wish by having her hair, nails and make-up done before putting on her special princess dress; Mum Carolyn said Allanya was “so excited” when she saw the dress. Allanya was then taken downstairs to find a red carpet laid out just for her, which led to a horse-drawn carriage. She enjoyed a ride around the grounds with her family before taking a trip in a yacht to have afternoon tea – which included a cake in the shape of a castle! Allanya chose to be a princess for the day because she loves dressing up – her favourite Disney princess is Belle.

Allanya started to feel unwell a few months before being diagnosed in January 2011. Carolyn took her to the doctor three times, the drop-in clinic twice and the hospital twice before she decided to Google her symptoms and ‘cancer’ came back in the results. At that point she demanded a blood test. Treatment started the day after Allanya was diagnosed – she had a bone marrow Lumbar Puncture before undergoing a chemotherapy course which made her lose her hair. “Allanya had long, blonde, curly hair before treatment started, it was beautiful,” said Carolyn, “she asked where her hair had gone and we told her that it had gone to the ‘hair fairies’.” Allanya is now on maintenance chemotherapy and will be until March next year.

Carolyn said: “Allanya’s wish came at such a perfect time – she had only come out of hospital the day before. Knowing we had the wish to look forward to got us through the seven days in hospital. Make-A-Wish really is an amazing and essential charity for children who are very poorly.”

Laila meets up-and-coming music talent

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

15 year old Laila’s wish was something a little different…

Last month Laila spent the day with recording artists Ben Williams (Kameelion) and Taylor Jones. The up-and-coming duo, who had travelled from Wales and London respectively, met Laila in her home town of Rotherham where they enjoyed lunch before being taken by limousine to have a professional photo-shoot.

Laila discovered Ben and Taylor after some friends recommended she listen to them. She’d been in contact with them via Twitter, so decided her wish would be the perfect opportunity to meet them. Ben and Taylor spent the day filming Laila’s wish so that she’d have a keepsake from the day.

Laila, who is studying Child Development, Photography and Art & Design at school, was diagnosed with Pre-B-cell non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma after her legs became very weak and painful. The cancer affects the bottom of her spine and the nerves in her legs, which has subsequently meant she relies heavily on her wheelchair. She received intensive chemotherapy for six months and is now on maintenance treatment. Currently in her GCSE years at school, Laila missed most of Years 8 and 9 due to the treatment and hospital appointments she endured.

She told us: “My wish was so special, it was really amazing. It was nice to have such a perfect day.”

Strictly Come Dancing dream is realised

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Cariad loves dancing – her favourite show is Strictly Come Dancing. It wasn’t a surprise to discover that her heartfelt wish was to watch the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour and meet the dancing celebrities...

Cariad travelled with Dionne and Dad Jeremy from her home in Southampton and spent the day in Cardiff enjoying afternoon tea and sampling a new cuisine – Chinese – before taking her seat to watch the live show, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Dionne told us: “She was very excited; she loves dancing and even wants to do wheelchair dancing.” She met some of the stars of the show, as well as a couple of the judges, as you can see from our pictures.

Cariad has to sleep on a ventilator, has physiotherapy every day and taken to school by two nurses, but Mum Dionne explains “this is just normal life for us - we don’t know any different”.

Last word goes to Dionne: “Strictly Come Dancing is Cariad’s favourite show and Chelsee is her favourite celebrity dancer, so meeting her was the icing on the cake. Cariad even said ‘this is the best day of my life’ and it really was; when we got home she cried because it was over!”

Amy's fairy wish

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Amy from Cheadle, near Manchester, is ten and lives with Ependymoma, a kind of brain tumour. Her wish was to be a pretty fairy for the day and our friends at nearby Mottram Hall helped us to give her a really special day!

After arriving in a special car, Amy began her transformation into the fairy of her dreams with a full makeover; lipstick, special nails, pretty dress – the lot!

Her day included a treasure hunt in the Hall grounds, a lovely ride in a horse-drawn carriage and her own beautiful cake.

You can see more of Amy’s wish and some reaction from her Dad – here’s a video…

Lego-mad Max's wish granted

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Six year old cancer sufferer Max found that Lego really cheered him up in hospital, so he wished for a Lego shopping trip...

Max, who is from Romsey, started his wish with a grand tour of the Lego shopping store in Westfield London, before encountering two Storm Troopers – the Star Wars Lego items are his favourite – who followed him around the shop, looking very inconspicuous! Many thanks to our friends in the no doubt warm costumes and helmets!

After spending nearly three hours in store, Max made the all-important decision as to which items of Lego he’d be taking home…the Star Wars Death Star set was top of his list. Max’s Mum, Alison, said: “He’s really into Lego and Star Wars and loves building the different ships – he chose this wish because he wanted a lifetime supply of Lego; as soon as he got home he started building the Death Star!”

Before Max was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), Alison had noticed that he'd been getting tired and purple spots had started to appear on his tummy. Within three days of Alison taking Max to the doctor, chemotherapy treatment had started. Max has since been in and out of hospital due to picking up numerous infections. He is now on maintenance treatment and is given chemotherapy at home each day and once a month in hospital.

Alison finished: “Max’s wish was something we could never have given to him; it was a lovely experience we’ll never forget.”

Toon fan meets football idol Alan Pardew

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Newcastle United fan Ryan, 15, was born prematurely with Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula (an abnormal connection between the oesophagus and the trachea). We recently granted his wish to meet his idol – Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew.

Ryan’s first surprise was a visit from Alan to his home in Dudley. Ryan’s Mum, Amanda, said: “His face was a picture when Alan arrived. Ryan asked hundreds of questions and told jokes. Alan was lovely, he gave Ryan his personal training shirt and even signed it for him.” The next day Ryan was given a tour of Newcastle United’s training ground and was able to have lunch with Alan and a few players, before being given Tim Krul’s signed goalie gloves and a huge bag of goodies. Then it was on to the Newcastle United versus Queens Park Rangers match where he sat in the directors’ box and got to meet the Toon chairman and coaches.

Amanda said: “The look on Ryan's face throughout the weekend was absolutely priceless, especially following his recent surgery in November.”

Ryan has had to undergo many operations over the past 15 years, including a full gastrectomy and surgery to treat a Diaphragmatic Hernia. He also has Epilepsy, has been left deaf after contracting Meningitis and for the past four years he has been fed intravenously.

Amanda said: “Ryan's wish was absolutely amazing and turned into a dream come true weekend. He absolutely loved the training and meeting everyone, being in a posh seat and watching the match, but the icing on the cake was Alan Pardew coming to visit him at home! Ryan is still on cloud nine. He has said it is such a special memory he will never forget!”

“Make-A-Wish is amazing for children like Ryan whose lives revolve around hospital and treatments or operations. To do something they have always dreamed of and have wonderful memories is fantastic.”

Princess Lois has her fairy-tale wish granted

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

“I’ve put a brave face on, but watching her when she feels sick has been heart-breaking. You just have to be really strong.” Jasmin, five year old Lois’s sister, sheds light on what it’s like to see a family member when they’re very ill, and how a wish can make a real difference.

See a video of Lois’s magical day!

Lois lives with cancer of the white blood cells. Her family always call her their little princess and that is precisely what she wished to be – a real princess for the day!

After being chauffeured from her home in Nottingham to Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, Lois was whisked up to a specially decorated room to enjoy strawberries dipped in chocolate before being taken to the salon to have her nails done pre-dinner; Lois decided she wanted egg and chips, which the chef happily made especially for her. The next day it was time for Lois to put on her special princess attire for on a grand tour of the castle grounds in her very own horse and carriage. Back at the castle, she was presented with a cake which contained a real Barbie doll!

Lois is now halfway through her chemotherapy treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), which has caused her to lose her hair and affected her ability to walk. Mum Cheryl told us:

“When your child gets poorly you have to stop work, your normal way of life totally stops, and everything changes. Everything centres around the poorly child. Lois’s wish gave us the chance to get away from the hospital, medicine and worries of keeping her well.

“The work Make-A-Wish does is absolutely amazing. I don’t think Lois even thought about being poorly during her wish. She was a princess, and that was all she was thinking about.”

We began this story with Jasmin, Lois’s 15 year old sister, so the last word is hers, too: “Seeing Lois enjoying her wish made me feel warm inside. I was so excited for her and it was so special to see her smile.”

See a video of Lois’s magical day!