Emily’s Wish to Save The World
Seven-year-old Emily puts on her Hulk costume and teams up with her superhero buddies to save the world
Emily relates to the Hulk
They may appear different on the outside, but there are a few key similarities between the Hulk and seven-year-old Emily. Firstly, they’re both brave, secondly, they’re both strong, and thirdly, they’re both feisty.
Emily’s mum Andrea also believes that Emily loves the Hulk because he’s different from the other superheroes. “He's not your traditional superhero. Emily's never really gone for the popular one. She's always gone for the one that’s been that little bit different. I think she sees herself in him. She has a fiery temper and she's well aware of that, so that might be another thing because the Hulk gets angry too!" said Andrea.
It all began the day that the superheroes came to wash the windows at the children’s hospital where Emily was undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Superheroes became the hot topic of conversation, with the Hulk being front and centre.
I told her that I was really scared of The Incredible Hulk when I was a little girl, and she thought this was hilarious. Her big brave mum was scared of The Incredible Hulk! And she said to me, ‘It's okay, mum. I can protect you from the incredible because I'm brave, and I'm strong.’
Andrea, Emily's Mum
Bravery leads to wish
When it came time to choose a wish, Emily at first asked for a younger sister. Both Make-A-Wish and Andrea said they couldn’t help her with that one. Andrea encouraged Emily to think of her greatest wish, not necessarily something tangible, but something in her heart she wanted. “Then she said: ‘I would really love to meet The Incredible Hulk!’ and that's kind of where it started. Then it went from meeting The Incredible Hulk to being his sidekick, and then just being like him and saving the world!” said Andrea.
Andrea also said that she thought the idea of saving the world was Emily's way of trying to regain some of her control and her strength. "And also because we always said to her: ‘You're so brave. You have handled all this so bravely.’ So she’s thought: ‘I’m brave, that could be a superhero thing!’"
Preparing to save the world
With her HULK training underway, Emily is up to ‘L’ where she’s learning something new in preparation for saving the world.
“This weekend she wants to learn how to make ANZAC biscuits, because they seem like something like Hulk would eat... In the letters that The Hulk has been sending, the first one said, ‘I’m sorry I’m going to have to go because Thor has lost his hammer again!' and she just thinks this is hilarious... She’s like ‘Oh Thor’s a bit forgetful isn't he!’”
Emily’s even been getting books out of the library to learn about The Hulk.
“She came home last night, and she asked, ‘Do you know his real name? It's Bruce Banner!’”
It’s so exciting because I know all this stuff that's going on and planning in the background and she has no clue, it makes it even more exciting. It's like this secret that we're planning. I can't wait!
Andrea, Emily's mum
Family look forward to wish come true
When Andrea asked her daughter what her superhero name would be, Emily confidently responded, “Mummy, it’s Emily!”
“She just wants to be herself! I’m really looking forward to just seeing her little face as the wish comes true, and celebrating as a family. It’s amazing to have something for Emily, but that we’re all a part of as a family."
"We're going to remember this for the rest of our days," said Andrea. "And the fact it's going to be some of her oncology team that she saves. That's going to be amazing - they've helped her and now she's helping them. I think that's just going to be a real icing on the cake for her!”
Emily's Wish Day
Emily's wsh day began with a "Super Special Superhero Transfer" to Bounce, where her training would begin. There she met Spider-Man, Iron-Man, Starlord, Captain America, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, Dr Strange, and Sorcerer Supreme Wong! She loved learning all about the superheroes, and even more so, that they were cheering each other on.
When a call from Loki came in, it was Emily's time to shine! Although she was nervous that she wasn't ready to face a real bad guy, Scarlet Witch reassured her that Loki is bad because he is mean and lonely and doesn't have friends or family. Emily has her friends and family, so she IS ready to face him!
Emily rescues Perth City
Loki cast a spell that froze the entire state of Perth, and Emily was the only one that could stop him! Spider-Man sensed she may need an extra boost, so he rolled out of the spell to encourage Emily - and that was all the boost she needed! She saved Perth and defeated Loki!
Emily found the courage to put her HULK training to good use and save the city. Seeing Loki taken away by the Perth Police was the cherry on the cake for Emily and she walked out to cheers from the crowd as Perth's favourite superhero!
It truly exceeded all expectations. We knew it was going to be fantastic, but it just kept coming and coming!
Andrea, Emily's mum
Creating life-long memories
Not only did Emily save the world, but she got to spend a day of adventure with the people she loves the most!
Emily had her sidekick (and sister) Jessica by her side all day, and their mum, Andrea, said that spending this time with her sister was exactly the support Emily needed. "It's something they will both cherish forever," said Andrea, "it's fantastic that they are able to share these memories together."
After saving Perth, Emily got to see each of her nurses, and Dr. Santosh, who she loves and admires deeply. Having them attend Emily's special day meant a lot to her and her family.
Di, one of Emily's nurses said, "I am so proud to be saved by Emily!"
"Thank you seems like such a small word for all that it means with this wish," said Andrea.
