Wish stories

It’s always easy to see the joy a wish brings in the following months. A wish can give families the rare opportunity to take a break from the stressful day-to-day. It can bring incredible moments in a time where they’re needed most. And most importantly, a wish makes a child feel special.

But it’s not just a momentary light. Wishes have a lasting impact on people’s lives.

In 2001, aged four, I was diagnosed with leukaemia, one of the most common types of cancer for children under 15 years old. My battle lasted for three and a half years, and it wasn’t until 2012 that I was officially signed off.

During my treatment, I was offered a wish, and inevitably went with any young child’s dream - Disneyland. The trip was such a great experience for my family, a rare chance to escape from the hospital.

We were able to spend time as a family that didn’t involve operations, waiting for results, or spending our evenings on the hospital ward - just uninterrupted fun.

Today, I’m 22, in a full-time job as a copywriter, and enjoying life in Cornwall. Whenever I look back on my childhood, I never reflect on the difficult few years I had, I only ever remember my wish.

Whether it’s visiting a place they’ve dreamed of going to, meeting someone they look up to, or experiencing something they never thought they would, wishes can make a big difference.