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.
Charli meets Lola
Make-A-Wish grants a puppy wish most months - these fur-friends bring so much joy and comfort for kids with critical illnesses. Charli's wish for a yellow Labrador puppy has made a lasting difference - with her new best friend Lola by her side, anything is paw-ssible!
Meet Charli
Six year old animal lover Charli has been fighting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
Throughout her treatment, she wasn’t able to have any contact with animals.
So imagine her excitement when she was told her wish was being granted!
Charli wished for a yellow Labrador puppy named Lola.
Puppy power
The positive impact of Charli’s wish was clear before Lola had even arrived.
As soon the Wish Journey began, Charli forgot about how sick she had been and could only think about Lola! She was soon busy preparing a list of all the things Lola would need.
Her excitement grew every week as more and more puppy paw prints appeared on the front porch.
“It was as if our bright shining light was dimmed…and once her wish was granted her light was re-lit and is now beginning to shine again, bigger and brighter every day!”
A true friendship
Charli even got to play with all the puppies when they were just 4 weeks old. But the best part was still to come, and when the countdown was finally over, Lola arrived in a beautiful purple and green tutu.
Since Lola came into their lives, there has been a huge positive change both physically and mentally in Charli, along with feelings that can only be described as “pure joy!”
They love to play fetch together in the backyard without a worry in the world – exactly as it should be for this bright, bubbly 6 year old.
The Wish Journey
How a wish comes 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.
More wish stories
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Trisha, 12 NSW Post kidney transplant
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Read moreBehind The Wish: Bec
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Read moreNate builds the perfect wish
Nate loves woodworking but like any good craftsman, he needs a shed! So Nate’s wish was for his idol - Adam Dovile from Better Homes and Gardens - to build him a shed.