Donate before the snow melts!
$30
Your gift could go towards buying
ski gloves.
$50
Your gift could go towards the cost of snowy activities.
$100
Your gift could go towards a family dinner in Queenstown.
Winter wishes waiting to be granted
Eleanor’s love for all things snowy, grew into her wish.
Eleanor and her family's whole world changed when she was diagnosed with brain cancer at four years old. Eleanor's mum Helen explains life was a scary time. “It all became about treatment and survival. She lost her hair, stopped eating, stopped going to preschool – all of those things."
Before Eleanor was diagnosed, she was learning about snow at preschool, ever since Eleanor has always dreamed about seeing the snow.
Her wish is to visit Queenstown in winter with her family. "She wants to make snow angels and a snowman. She’s quite particular about the snowman having a carrot nose," says Helen.
Eleanor’s wish was meant to happen last year, but it had to be delayed when her family received another devastating diagnosis – this one was Helen’s. “I got diagnosed with cancer in July last year. I followed my daughter’s path – but it was nowhere near as bad as hers.”
Eleanor's family has had to endure more than most - this is why a wish is so important for them.
“There were long stretches in hospital, not interacting with people. We would talk about what we were gonna do when this is all finished. Something to look forward to when you’re in that dark space is really helpful."
Will you be the light at the end of the tunnel for Eleanor and other children like her?
Edward wishes for a family holiday done "his way"
Life for Edward and his family changed dramatically when, at the age of 3, his mum Ruth took him for a blood test. A 20-minute test turned into a nine-week hospital stay for the two, after Edward was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Edward and his family went on a trip to the snow shortly after Edward had finished chemo. Edward's dad Han says this trip was tough for Edward. "He saw how much everyone enjoyed it, but he didn’t really enjoy it himself because he was still in the recovery stage and quite weak."
Edward’s wish is for his family to have another snowy holiday together but this time done "his way”. He doesn’t want to share a bedroom and he wants to have a private ski lesson but with just him and his dad.
For Ruth, Edward's wish is an important part of their journey. “It’s something where he can dream big and not feel confined by his illness, which did keep him confined for such a long time”.
“It will be a bit of celebration of what he’s been through. It will almost put the full stop to the story."
Harvey is 6 years old and has a Wilm’s Tumour.
He spent countless hours away from his family home at Starship for treatments. “It was mentally draining – even just organising stuff because we have two other kids as well. All the organising, all the stuff behind the scenes that most people don’t think about until you have to deal with it.” - Harvey's dad, Cody.
“Even though there are little bits and pieces to come afterwards, it’s just a reminder of what we’ve went through, and what he’s getting for it.” - Cody.
Indigo's snowy wish came true!
Indigo’s wish to “touch snow in Queenstown” was granted last year after her chemotherapy was finished.
Her mum, Deborah, says that "Indy has been significantly traumatized by the major surgeries and the relentless chemotherapy. The holiday was her reward and an acknowledgement of her courage. She felt special for a change, instead of feeling unlucky and asking why her."
Her family were so glad they got to have such a magical experience together to acknowledge the struggle they had faced and look towards a bright future together.
"It was a very emotional time for us. Our first holiday together since the chemo finished. We cried when reflecting. We slept! I grieved and cried a lot. I think the trip allowed me the time to deal with the trauma and give us permission as a family to acknowledge how hard it has been."
- Deborah
There are over 300 Kiwi children still waiting for their wish to come true!
Lynne just donated $52.50- Lyn just donated $52.50
- Helen just donated $21
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- Ursula just donated $21
- Kelly just donated $50
Please note, if we raise enough money to grant all winter wishes, the extra funds will be allocated to other wishes in our pipeline.
