Beyond The Wish: Lexie
Clinging onto his Wish Coin after his stem cell transplant gave Jack hope he would get better and get to have his wish.
Audrey's tale of ice and fire!
In 2018, Audrey's story was featured during our tax-time campaign. One financial year on, see the impact of her wish and how your generous donation can make all the difference.
Audrey, 5, retinoblastoma - "I wish to blast off in a rocket to the snow."
Meet Audrey
Flashback - Audrey's story
You may recall Audrey, now 6, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma (a rare form of eye cancer) at just 2 years old.
Shortly after diagnosis, Audrey endured life-changing surgery to remove one of her eyes, followed by seven rounds of chemotherapy to save the other.
Watch Audrey's video to learn more about her diagnosis and the origins of her 'ice and fire' wish!
The wish
Audrey's wish
Despite her illness, Audrey loves drawing - her drawings often feature rockets flying over mountains of snow.
However living in Queensland, Audrey hadn't had the chance to experience real snow herself - or use the countless beanies her grandparents sent over from Canada!
For a girl with such a big imagination, Audrey's wish should've come as no surprise - she wished to blast off in her own rocket to the snow!
“She's had the battle of her life. She's been through more than most people will ever have to go through.”
Her wish
A snowy adventure
Audrey's wish took her and and her family to Mount Hotham, where they were able to spend some quality family time catching up things they'd missed out on.
Audrey and her sister got to see snow for the first time, diving straight in to make snow angels.
She even got try skiing and by the end of the week, she was skiing down the slopes like a pro!
Wish Effect
One year on
One year on, we asked Audrey's mum Claudine to reflect on her experience - and what it really means to bring life-changing wishes to life.
"Audrey's now six, and health wise she's doing really good, despite ongoing eye operations and treatments.
"Every month that goes by, Audrey gets brighter and brighter. She’s in a good spot, getting the glow back in her cheeks. Looking healthy and happy.
"Audrey's wish was very special - as bringing the family together and having the time [at the snow] wasn’t something we could have done otherwise.
"There was so much laughter throughout the wish, and we’ve come away with that and feeling closer as a family.
"Because Audrey has limited sight and autism, for her to be able to ski was a huge accomplishment. She’s so proud of herself and what she was able to achieve - she goes around telling everyone that she can ski, and we have this dream of 'the snow sisters' winning gold at the Olympics!
"It’s really ignited a love of skiing in her - and knowing that you can fall over and get back up again (she did that hundreds of times!) - has become a really good metaphor. It's a bit like how she lives her life, she gets knocked down and she gets back up again. She’ll try anything!"
“As a family, it was the best thing we’ve ever done together. It was absolutely magical.”
Wish Effect
Audrey's rocket!
"Audrey's always been a fan of all things space and rockets, and her love of rockets has just developed since the wish.
"Her rocket takes pride of place in her bedroom. When someone comes over, that’s the first thing Audrey tells them, about her rocket."
The Wish Journey
Bringing the Wish to Life
1. Wish Capture
1. Wish Capture
Depending on availability, either our Make-A-Wish volunteers or our Wish Catcher team will arrange to meet each child (either in-person or virtually) to capture their greatest wish idea, getting to the heart of what they truly want and why. This is part of what makes Make-A-Wish unique, giving children full creative control while exploring their wish idea.
2. Wish Design
2. Wish Design
Back at Make-A-Wish HQ, we collaborate with families and volunteers, with support of the medical teams, to create the ultimate wish experience for each child.
3. Wish Anticipation
3. Wish Anticipation
In the lead up to the wish, we take each child on an anticipation journey designed to build excitement, keep them engaged until their wish comes true, and provide a welcome distraction from medical treatment. Anticipation can be incredibly powerful, helping to calm, distract, and inspire kids at a time they need it most.
4. Wish Realisation
4. Wish Realisation
This is when the planning, preparation, and anticipation of the wish finally comes true. Children get to experience their greatest wish – it's everything they’ve imagined and more.
5. Wish Impact
5. Wish Impact
Wish impact studies show that a child's wish lives on, long after the moment. A wish gives more than just hope – with an incredible and lasting effect on the lives of wish kids, their families, and wider communities.
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