Beyond The Wish: Alexander
Just over eight years after his wish for a puppy came true, teenager Alexander wants others to experience the joy of a wish
Beyond The Wish is our series that explores the long-lasting and meaningful impact of a wish, years after it has been granted.
A Dixie daily reminder of wish
It’s been a little over eight years since Alexander’s puppy wish was granted but he hasn’t forgotten it.
With a ball of joy named Dixie giving him cuddles every day, there’s a daily reminder of his wish.
But Alexander’s passion for Make-A-Wish has never waned: in fact, it’s got stronger as he’s grown older.
“I will never forget Make-A-Wish. They made my medical journey so much better and easier and I felt really appreciated and cared for,” the 16-year-old said.
‘Earthquake’ hits family
Alexander was 6 years old in 2016 when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
He had been looking pale and losing weight but mum Gina never thought blood tests would reveal the diagnosis they got.
“It was a terrible shock,” she said. “It was just like a big kind of earthquake that just swallowed us up.”
Alexander received chemotherapy for two years. Gina said he was “brave and strong” even during the toughest times.
Gina said the lowest point was when Alexander got an infection during treatment.
“He was feeling very sick and the steroids really sort of started to impact him as well,” she said.
“And about that time is when his hair started falling out. So, it was like this kind of cluster of challenges happening.”
I really thought if I had a dog, I’d have a good friend.
Alexander, wish recipient
Alexander’s wish for a new friend
When he started his Wish Journey, Alexander wrote down some options for his wish.
There was a holiday with his family or perhaps meeting someone famous.
But then he settled on receiving a puppy for his wish.
“I really thought if I had a dog, I’d have a good friend,” Alexander said.
“So, I stuck with the idea of a dog and I’m really glad I made that decision.”
Gina fully endorsed her son’s decision right from the start, believe a puppy would be comforting for Alexander.
“Alexander wasn’t able to go to school, so it was a very isolating time for him,” she said.
“He was getting pretty lonely, and I think a little bit bored. The routine of going into the hospital all the time.
“I thought the puppy would be something he could hang out with on a day-to-day basis.”
Pink-nosed puppy is perfect
Alexander and Gina went to a dog breeder selected by Make-A-Wish to have a peek at their future puppy.
And on their first visit, Gina thought she had identified the perfect miniature labradoodle for Alexander’s wish.
“But another puppy stuck out to me the most,” Alexander said.
“She had the cutest little pink nose ever. She was so shy but when I picked her up, she crawled onto my neck and just fell asleep.
“And then I thought ‘this is the one, this is the one I want’. And I’m so glad I found her.”
Some weeks later, Make-A-Wish volunteers Chris and Amanda delivered what was to become known as Dixie to Alexander’s home.
Also delivered with Dixie that day were a range of accessories, including a dog bed, lead and harness, and dog toys.
“I just felt immense joy,” Alexander recalled.
“It was the biggest wish come true ever.
“She brought so much joy to me. I felt like the luckiest kid alive. Honestly, it was awesome.”
It’s exciting to think the money could go towards another puppy for a sick kid.
Alexander, wish recipient
Teenager helps new wishes come true
Alexander always had the urge to give back to Make-A-Wish and that opportunity arose in 2025 as part of his school’s Exploring Identities and Futures subject.
Alexander devised a PowerPoint presentation on Make-A-Wish and spoke to the school assembly and individual classes.
“I just have a really strong connection to Make-A-Wish and it felt like a great opportunity to give back and really spread awareness and tell people ‘This charity does all these things for sick kids’,” he said.
Alexander organised different fundraising activities for a whole week: from selling cupcakes to the quiz game Kahoot, raising a total of $313.
“I felt a sense of accomplishment, but it also gave me a sense that I'm giving back and giving to other people, other kids waiting for wishes,” he said.
“It’s exciting to think the money could go towards another puppy for a sick kid.
“I'm so glad Make-A-Wish was in my life, and I hope it keeps doing what it's doing and just making everyone else's life just as great as it made mine.”
Gina said she was not surprised her son threw himself into fundraising for Make-A-Wish.
“He's always been a person that has a lot of empathy and compassion,” she said.
“You know, I just think I'm a really lucky mum to have such a beautiful son.”
