Beyond The Wish: Jacinta
In 2020, Jacinta had the chance to meet one of her sporting idols, AFL player Nic Naitanui, thanks to the help of our partner Hungry Jack's. Now a kindergarten teacher, the impact of her wish is helping to inspire others.
Beyond The Wish is our series that explores the long-lasting and meaningful impact of a wish, years after it has been granted.
Sharing the story
Earlier this year, new kindergarten teacher Jacinta gathered her class of 16 kids for story time.
The book she opened instantly took her back to an incredible experience in 2020.
‘Little Nic’s Big Day’ was written by former AFL player Nic Naitanui. And it was Nic, the then 16-year-old Jacinta met in 2020 as part of her wish.
“I read this book to my kids and got to show them where he signed my copy,” Jacinta said.
“And then I showed them the photo of Nic and I from the wish, which they all thought was the best thing ever.”
Meeting Nic Naitanui
At age 12 Jacinta was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Four years later, after much planning, Jacinta’s amazing wish to meet Nic came true.
Hungry Jack’s – a major sponsor of Nic’s West Coast Eagles – played a role in making the wish happen.
Jacinta, her sister, and their parents were flown from Sydney to Perth to meet Nic in early 2020.
Watch the wish
201cm tall Nic spent a lot of time talking and getting photos with an always-smiling Jacinta and her family.
“He was so kind, he probably spent longer with us that he was meant to,” Jacinta said.
“He was willing to sit down and chat with us about whatever we wanted. It didn’t have to be just football, it was life in general.
“And then he told my sister and I to go downstairs to the Eagles merchandise shop and pick whatever shirt we wanted, and he'd pay for it.
“Like even just that was the best thing ever. I still have the shirt that he bought for me.”
Lasting memories
Jacinta only has to pick her mobile phone up to remind her of the wish.
Her wallpaper is a picture of her and Nic taken on the day.
A couple of years after the wish, her family gave Jacinta an 18th birthday framed jumper of Nic along with a picture of the time they met.
It, along with other photos from the wish, appear on the walls of Jacinta’s family home.
“Whenever I think about the wish, it puts a big smile on my face,” Jacinta said.
“It’s still so nice to think about , and it’s such a nice memory to have.
“The wish has definitely changed me for the better. And it highlighted that I could do whatever I set my mind to.”
The 22-year-old’s determination was on show in 2025 when she fast-tracked completing her university studies. Originally expected to graduate in June this year, Jacinta has been working full-time for months as a teacher.
The wish has definitely changed me for the better. And it highlighted that I could do whatever I set my mind to.
Jacinta
Ongoing impact
Jacinta finished treatment for her leukaemia in 2018 and said the timing of the wish meant it was a turning point in her life.
“It was a really nice way to close that chapter of my life and have the wish to block out everything else that happened throughout treatment,” she said.
Jacinta’s mum Kirsten agreed the wish helped push to the side some of the painful memories of treatment.
“The wish turned what was a really horrible situation into something positive,” Kirsten said.
Kirsten has also recently shared the memories of the wish with a friend whose son has been diagnosed with leukaemia. He has started his own Wish Journey.
“Being able to share what Make-A-Wish did for Jacinta and us as a family, has given my friend and their family light and hope in their journey,” Kirsten said.
