Allegra and her favourite Guy

Allegra’s story is similar to many wish children.

She was a happy and healthy 8 year old with no symptoms of serious illness.

But in March 2019 her family was told Allegra had Rhabdomyosarcoma, a tumourous cancer behind her right eye.

Treatment for Allegra involved chemotherapy for six months along with five weeks of radiation therapy.

“Allegra did what was needed of her, most of the time with a smile on her face and a spring in her step,” Wish mum Tracey said.

“She brightened the days of other patients going through radiation, especially when she and her friend Daisy would dress up in Dumbo/unicorn onesies to attend the hospital.”

“More than what we expected” is how mum Tracey sums up Allegra’s wish day.

It began with a make-up and hair session at Mac Cosmetics at Myer, which included free cosmetics and Christmas teddy bears for her and her friends.

Then it was off to meet Guy at a soundcheck before his Christmas carols concert.

“Allegra asked him about 10 questions she had for him,” Tracey said.

“When he was answering questions from Allegra it wasn’t just one or two word answers. He would go into a lot of detail as to why. He didn’t rush it at all.”

Tracey said the wish experience was an important step for Allegra, who has been in remission since last September.

“It was emotional for her and for us. It was a big day for everybody,” Tracey said.

“It was just Allegra being able to get some enjoyment – she has had a horrible year and it was good to see her have some enjoyment.”

Tracey said Allegra has some lasting mementoes from Guy: a signed t-shirt and some other autographs pinned to a board in her room.

“Everybody said to us ‘I don’t know how you did it’ and we said ‘Well we didn’t have a choice, you just have to get through it the best you can’,” Tracey said.

“Once you get through it you realise you can do these things as a family and it makes you stronger.”