Behind The Wish: Anjelica
Anjelica is the sibling of wish recipient David, who passed away in 2022. She now wants to use David’s story to inspire others and share the impact of a wish on an entire family
Behind The Wish is our series of inspirational reads diving into the everyday superheroes involved in creating life-changing wishes.
A mission to inspire the world
Anjelica is a lawyer and a Make-A-Wish volunteer. But most importantly, she’s both a daughter and sister. Forever.
Anjelica’s brother, David was a wish child, and the light of his family's life. Sadly, after his 21st birthday, David passed away from the long-term effects of his brain tumour.
Being now forever 21, Anjelica has made it her mission to inspire the world with David’s story – and come back to Make-A-Wish to share the impact David’s wish had on his life, and their family.
“I know David and I really wanted to come back once we were a bit older to share how Make-A-Wish does affect you even as an adult. I was feeling down the last few weeks, thinking ‘how can I honour David and do something we always wanted to do together?’"
Wish provides hope
David and the family first found out about Make-A-Wish soon after his diagnosis when he was 13, at the Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney. It didn’t take David long at all to decide on his wish – in his true selfless nature, he wished to take his mum and sister on a family holiday.
“Throughout his cancer journey, David was diagnosed with a brain tumour. There was a lot of treatment with his brain surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and lumbar puncture needles," said Angelica.
“It was the most wonderful holiday. It was my favourite holiday ever! We hadn’t gone on a holiday for a very long time. Mum is a very strong, resilient woman and she raised David and I on her own, so it was such a special time for all of us to just have fun and enjoy being together.”
Having a wish granted for David gave him hope to get through it all.
Anjelica, Make-A-Wish volunteer
A very special wish
According to Anjelica, her brother was counting down the days until they got onto their flight to Queensland, and their experience at Australia Zoo was extra special, thanks to their childhood heroes Steve and Bindi Irwin! Despite being the older sister, Anjelica said David was the brave one when handling the rugged reptiles.
“We got to swim with dolphins and stayed at a beautiful hotel. It was all so special because it’s something we could never do. My mum was working 7 days a week before David was diagnosed. Most of our family is in the Philippines, but my aunty (mum’s older sister) managed to get a carer’s visa to come over and look after me. She also came on the holiday, which was amazing for all of us," Anjelica said.
A bond between siblings
Being the sibling of a cancer patient has its very own set of challenges, and for Anjelica it was no different. With her mum living at the hospital with David, it was also a very lonely time for Anjelica at home.
“That was probably the hardest part for me, having mum living with David at the hospital, so it was amazing that our aunty could live with us at least. Being able to leave Sydney and go on the family holiday helped me to realise the importance of family and how loved we all were," Anjelica reflected.
“What makes David even more amazing is that he used to say, ‘Mum, you should go home and stay with Ate (sister in Filipino) tonight. I know she will be missing you’. Obviously, mum never left his side, but just the fact that he was thinking of me is so beautiful. He was just so incredibly kind.”
He was always such a cheeky little monkey who wanted to make everyone laugh.
Anjelica, Make-A-Wish volunteer
Memories that last a lifetime
From a young child to a gentle giant (6ft 1!), David was always kind, humble, and a big ball of infectious energy.
“His presence spoke volumes. The minute you said his name he just had the most beautiful smile. If you were ever having a bad day, David would always try to make you smile. Even if he also had a bad day, he would never let that show," said Anjelica.
Anjelica also recalls David doing thoughtful things for her, like hiding cake in the back of the fridge so she wouldn't miss out on a piece and always trying to cop the blame when they got into trouble.
"When David passed away, it felt like we had lost a part of us... I think that’s why it hurts so much. I didn’t just lose my little brother, I lost my best friend... We were a dynamic trio, but Make-A-Wish has given us that happy memory to look back on."
The long-term effects of David’s brain tumour were ultimately the reason for his passing at 21-years-old. Being on 20 medications throughout his teens, Anjelica says in her heart, she knew David was suffering – yet he was never one to show it.
“Despite all his pain, he never let me or Mum see it. He would nod and smile and say he was okay... Even after his diagnosis and even through all his treatments and right up until he passed away, he was still smiling.”
With a love for fitness, David started a Certificate of Fitness at TAFE. As a testament to how much he touched the lives around him, his classmates held a fundraiser to raise money to help Anjelica and her mum with his funeral costs.
He was a light until the very end, and he will always be the sunshine in our lives.
Anjelica, Make-A-Wish volunteer
David inspires Anjelica
Anjelica hopes to continue to inspire others with David’s story, having learned so much from him herself.
“With David, despite what he went through, he always went on with a smile. He never had hatred in his heart. Now, whenever I feel hard done by, I remember David would have brushed it off. Life is too short to hold grudges," says Anjelica.
“David’s kindness is also something that I will strive to share with everyone. Something so small, like asking someone if they’re having a good day, can make such a difference. I just hope I’m able to be as kind as David was.”
Coming full circle
From the Youth Ambassadorship to joining the Wish Force, Make-A-Wish has been a big part of the family's lives, and we couldn't be more grateful for their strong belief in the impact a wish can have on a child, their family, and their community.
“I genuinely believe that whether your wish is something small or big, it really does help someone going through treatment. Even post-treatment, you have something to look forward to, something to keep you going. It is memories that last a lifetime and well beyond after the wish has been granted," says Anjelica.
Before he passed, David spoke about wanting to come back to Make-A-Wish, and he wanted to do that together with Anjelica.
Anjelica’s biggest cheerleader
“It breaks my heart that he wasn’t able to come back and do this with me," said Anjelica. "I felt like for my mum, I’ve always had to be strong – but I know it’s not healthy to keep it in and I think joining Make-A-Wish will help the healing process too. I know Make-A-Wish will honour him and help me to continue his legacy."
Now a lawyer at an insurance firm, Anjelica has been kicking goals despite once believing she wasn’t smart enough to pursue law.
“David was my biggest cheerleader. There was no one I wanted to see me finish law than David, but sadly, he passed away before my graduation. I wish he was here to see these achievements of mine, but I know he is watching. Anytime I walk into the Courtroom I know he’s helping and guiding me.”
