I wish to visit my favourite theme-park
Kim, wish granted in 2000
Kidney transplant
For most teenagers, life is about school, friends, and the everyday ups and downs of growing up. But for Kim, her world changed dramatically at the age of 14, when she found herself in and out of the hospital.
Doctors discovered her kidneys were failing, and within six months, she was on dialysis and in need of a kidney transplant. Her aunt turned out to be the perfect match, but the road to that life-saving surgery was long and filled with uncertainty.
Just before her transplant, a beacon of light appeared: being prescribed a wish from Make-A-Wish Canada to visit her favourite theme-park with her family. The trip was a much-needed escape from hospital visits and medical routines, a week where smiles replaced worries.
“My wish definitely gave me more energy, strength and hope,” she says. It became a turning point in her medical journey—memories of joy and resilience she carried with her through surgery, recovery, and beyond. Like Kim, 8 out of 10 wish kids reported that their wish gave them the strength to fight their critical illness.
The transplant was a success. While recovery wasn’t easy—months of isolation, strong medications, and a long road back to normalcy—Kim gradually regained her life. Now, over two decades later, she is still managing her health but celebrating life fully. This year, she marked the 25th anniversary of her transplant with her aunt, the woman who gave her the gift of life.
But life has a way of coming full circle in the most unexpected ways. Kim once again found herself facing the unthinkable—this time as a mother. Just before her son Evan’s ninth birthday, he was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour. The past year has been a whirlwind of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Evan has faced his challenges with immense strength and resilience. He finds joy in listening to music, playing with his collection of fidget toys, and connecting with family through video calls. Throughout this difficult time, the family learned that Evan, too, would be granted a life-changing wish – and he’s already dreaming of what it might be.
Kim’s journey from wish kid to wish mom is a powerful reminder of the ripple effect of kindness. Her wish gave her the strength to face the hardest moments of her life. Now, she walks alongside her son as he gets to experience that same sense of wonder and possibility.
Your support today can help fulfill more prescriptions for children with critical illnesses like Kim and Evan
