I wish to give to my local children’s hospital
Ming, 15
brain tumour
When Ming first began experiencing headaches and double vision in the summer of 2021, it seemed like just another symptom of too much screen time. He had been wrapping up online classes and playing computer games as summer break approached. But as his vision worsened, his mom grew concerned and called their family doctor.
Following a quick CT scan at his local children’s hospital, doctors discovered a mass in Ming’s brain. He was admitted immediately and didn’t leave the hospital for months.
Early in treatment, Ming endured rounds of chemotherapy, and the pressure in his brain grew so intense that spinal fluid had to be drained to provide relief. Eventually, the tumour reached a size that required surgery. Ming vividly remembers the surgeon approaching with a Sharpie, marking his scalp while he passed time watching YouTube.
Recovery was difficult for Ming as his blurry, double vision made walking and standing almost impossible, and post-surgery pain kept him mostly motionless. During one especially tough moment, he lay quietly in his hospital bed while his dad tried to lift his spirits, but Ming was in too much pain to respond.
And then came the news that changed everything: “The surgery removed nearly 100% of the mass,” the surgeons told him. In that moment, Ming’s future began to take shape again and he regained hope that he could just be a normal kid again. Ming was well on his way to a full recovery, and he described his healing as nearly complete.
But one last chapter was still waiting to be written, his wish journey. In February 2023, Ming was referred for a wish by his nurse clinician, Emily Jewels, and he was thrilled. At the time of initial discovery for Ming’s wish journey, he originally expressed a desire to travel. However, after much reflection, Make-A-Wish explored the idea of having him perform cover songs at a music festival, a perfect fit given his love for music and its role in helping him through his recovery. Ming loved the idea, but as plans unfolded, he found himself thinking of others instead. He noticed that while his local children’s hospital offered plenty of toys and activities designed for younger children, there wasn’t much for teens his age. That realization sparked a new idea, and Ming reimagined his wish, asking to donate music and activity items, including a guitar, a harp, numerous Lego sets, and craft kits, to the teen room at the hospital.
“I’m very thankful for this experience”, Ming said. “The day we put the new items in the teens’ room, and walking past nurses who showed overwhelming gratitude, made my whole year, maybe many years after. Knowing I’ve given something that will continue to benefit patients for years to come makes me smile everytime I think about it.”
Ming’s wish became more than a moment, it became a movement of healing, hope, and generosity. It proved that sometimes, giving joy is the greatest wish of all.
In 2025, Ming became a member of STARboard, a special group of wish kids aged 13–18 from across Canada who have had their wishes granted in the past two years. STARboard members give back by serving as a voice for children with critical illnesses—advising Make-A-Wish Canada on key decisions, supporting events, and acting as ambassadors. Ming’s role reflects how a single wish can spark healing, purpose, and a lasting impact on the next generation of wish kids.
