Wish stories

“It was the end of May 2022; it was a normal day. She said her stomach was hurting, and I thought it must just be a stomach bug,” said mum. But later that day when Avia couldn’t keep down the medicine that mum gave her, and when dad found a lump on the side of her body, mum sought medical advice from 111. “When I told them her symptoms, they told me to immediately go to the hospital.”

By the time Avia had arrived at hospital, the then five-year-old was “screaming in pain.” An ultrasound revealed a mass next to her kidney, prompting an admission to Royal London Hospital. Here Avia’s parents were told that their daughter had a tumour surrounding her kidney. Following the devastating news was an admission to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where further testing showed that Avia had Wilms' tumour - a rare type of kidney cancer.

Failed chemotherapy led to surgery that aimed to remove part of the tumour. Whilst her surgery was successful, it revealed that Avia had a high-risk Wilms' tumour. This meant that Avia had to endure another three months in hospital, undergoing high doses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As mum said, “The next three months were hell, it was sad to see my daughter go through something so traumatic.”

The side effects of the intense forms of treatment were wide-ranging and severe: “She had stomach pains and fevers constantly. She had appendicitis as well as so many traumatic things.” The tumour impacted other parts of Avia's childhood, robbing her of key schooltime moments as she was unable to attend year one as well as some of reception.

“It's unreal to look at her and think two years ago we were in a different position,” said mum. Now in remission, Avia is entering year three at school. With every day Avia moves further away from her cancer experience.

For Avia, princesses offered a source of childhood normality during a whirlwind of arduous treatment. Her love for princesses continues to grow as she ventures into a childhood away from hospital. The choice to have a princess-themed wish stemmed from more than just Avia’s love for princesses - it would offer time focused on Avia rather than her diagnosis:

“She's really into princesses like Aurora. She has a tea set at home, she'll ask me to get tea together!”

The wish was a welcome surprise for Avia, “When she got to the place and saw all her friends she was so excited!”

After putting on her royal gown, Princess Avia was picked up by a horse-drawn carriage and dropped off at her ball. “That was her favourite part of the wish, she waved at people outside like she was an actual princess. She had the time of her life,” said mum. Once arrived, Avia received a welcome by two fellow princesses before being surprised by her friends.

“The last two years were a nightmare for her so it was amazing to see her face light up.”

Avia’s wish made up for some of her key birthdays lost to her diagnosis: “People had thought it was her birthday when I sent out the invites, even though her birthday wasn’t for a couple of months. So, they turned up with hampers and gifts! She missed two birthdays in hospital, so it makes up for it.”

The day was made possible by the help of Make-A-Wish volunteers Ellie, Abbie, and Sean, who helped guide parents and children on the day, as well as organising the behind-the-scenes party essentials. Without the essential help of the volunteers the wish wouldn't have happened. “They were amazing! They helped direct parents, involved themselves, and really helped the wish happen,” said Nina.

As volunteer Abbie said, “A couple of hours to help that come together is the most rewarding thing.”