A girl from Oz...
A Wish to meet one of Australia’s favourite performers gave one young lady a chance to walk the red carpet on Broadway.
To the popping of flash bulbs and TV cameras, Hugh Jackman escorted 17-year-old Charisse to the opening night of The Addams Family.
Charisse, a lover of Broadway musicals, has idolised Hugh for many years and has used him as an inspiration to fight her cancer so it wasn’t hard to come up with the perfect Wish request. The 17-year old suffers from synovical sarcoma, a rare and very aggressive cancer so the meet and greet had to be organised around Charisse’s extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy and major surgery to remove the tumour.
Hugh was able to clear his calendar to meet Charisse between her therapy and operation. He thought a trip to the theatre was just the thing to boast her spirits and make her time in New York extra special.
‘I thought I was in a dream!’ said Charisse. ‘He was so sweet – he even put my jacket on for me and looked after me the entire night.’
On returning to Australia Charisse braced herself for the operation, not knowing what the outcome would be. Much to the delight of everyone the surgery went extremely well.
‘I truly believe that Charisse receiving her Wish prior to her operation has been instrumental in how well she has bounced back from her surgery,’ said Lyndal Gray from Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Adolescent and Young Adult Team.
‘Prior to her Wish, Charisse was petrified of the operation but since her trip to New York she has been more positive. She now has real goals and plans for the future.
‘She has been singing her favourite Broadway songs from her hospital bed! Thank you Make-A-Wish - you really make a difference."
Charisse now wants to finish year 11 and 12 at TAFE and do a beauty course because she loves hair, makeup and nails. She also wants to do continue with her singing because, ultimately she want to be just like Hugh, singing and dancing on Broadway!
If you would like to help Make-A-Wish grant more Wishes to children like Charrise, please click here.
View Charisse's Red Carpet walk with Hugh Jackman.
