FFAEENRADTR UMARRAIINN OYG W:M NOERRES WCILSUHB SLTUONRCIEHSE OANN, DA MEVBEENRT’SS AUSTRALIA EXPEDITION, ISSUE 33 JAN – APR 2016 AMBER ON A PONY RIDE Chris Greicius, a brave CONTENTS 7-year-old boy, from Phoenix, Arizona, was the inspiration for the Leadership Message 1 Make-A-Wish® mission to grant wishes to External Fundraising Events 2 children with life- threatening illnesses. Wish Stories 4 Chris had leukaemia and Special Events & his greatest wish was to Wish Children Events 12 become a policeman. His dream was realised when Donors & Sponsors 14 his family, friends and local community organised a Thank You 17 tailor-made uniform, a ride in a helicopter and completed his VIP treatment with the presentation of his policeman’s badge. All involved were so touched by this experience that they vowed that granting wishes, and making dreams come true for these incredibly brave children, should continue. To date, more than 334,000 wishes have been granted worldwide and many children have experienced the power of a wish. “We grant the wishes of Our aim is to go beyond the mere delivery of children with life-threatening each child’s wish. Instead, we hope to create an medical conditions to enrich unforgettable and meaningful experience in making these wishes come true. In their fight to overcome the human experience with their illnesses, we know that such memories hope, strength and joy.” are a source of joy, encouragement, hope and even strength, to these children. It is our goal, in Singapore, to reach every medically eligible child. We need you! Make-A-Wish Foundation® (Singapore) Limited 1 Coleman Street #04-18 The Adelphi Singapore 179803 | Tel: 6334 9474 | Fax: 6334 4750 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.makeawish.org.sg Newsletter Contributors Board of Directors Carol Wee | Loh Wan Ning | Sharon Chan | Zaneta Lai Dr Keith Goh | Mr Richard Yong | Mr Paul D’Souza | Mr Davy Lau | Ms Gillian Tay | Mr Jason Rosenthal | Editorial Team Mr Rajendra Pai | Ms Samantha Seah Dionne Wu | Leanora Lyn Gaffar | Sarah Lek Advisory Panel Dr Chong Poh Heng | Mr Koh Tien Gui | Mr Sesha Kanthamraju Design Sponsored by Cover Photograph Wish Child Amber on a pony ride MICA (P) 321/06/2005 Opinions expressed in this magazine are solely those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. 1 LEADERSHIP MESSAGE I am a firm believer that in our life My favourite event is our Annual journey, one must absorb, breathe, cry, Christmas Party, where our children discover, eat, fall, give, grow, laugh, and look forward to attending every year. learn, love each day of our life... It is a joy to see familiar faces going wild and having the time of their lives. My journey with Make-A-Wish started It has been proven that a wish can in 2006, when I was volunteering at ease suffering and help in the road to their Golf event. Since then I have recovery, and that is the Power of been truly blessed to continue this a Wish! enriching life journey in fundraising and wish-granting. It has been As we get locked into a “rat-race”, emotional at times but it is truly volunteering can give that escape to rewarding, inspiring and motivational. everyday routine and create a balance It has given me a new meaning to this in our lives. The ability to give time, wonderful world that we live in - that energy and skills freely is a great asset one’s life is full and complete if there not everyone can afford. However the is commitment, compassion, desire, benefits are enormous; the biggest passion and purpose. difference that you will make is in YOU. I am fortunate and grateful to be part of I always have a soft spot for children, this meaningful experience. more so if they are less privileged and with life threatening medical On behalf of the Board and Staff of conditions. To watch these brave young Make-A-Wish - we are truly grateful children battle their illnesses has taught to all our volunteers and corporate me life lessons no school can impart partners for your time, efforts and acceptance, adaptability, contentment, contributions. hope, patience, strength, tolerance, and will power. Here is one of my favourite quotes: “We make a living by what we One of the wishes that has touched get, but we make a life by what me greatly was granted in 2013 to a we give.” Winston Churchill generous 10 year old girl who shared her Wish Party with 40 other children from a home. They had a blast dressing up as angels, playing games, baking cupcakes, making their own jewelry, and most importantly, learning how to give and share. Today, the Wish Gillian Tay Child is a healthy energetic teenager who enjoys everything in life that all Board Member, teenagers love. It is an immense reward Chair of to see the sparkle in the child’s eyes Fundraising when the magical wish is granted- the Committee impact is priceless! 2 EXTERNAL FUNDRAISING EVENTS FOCS CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON FFfsototse1uotirflrhpre 2el lrwfeiMaen-aen ytrhtraj sat oeiaoo as koayramunteoorw nc -o-u HudohnAtnnisl oaeo- ddd aWtdron eesnct .cll hti hi sicWheconeihaenal n di SssisctF r iic2hi icpoonewe7 irnugsnCon i s.nDagbihd chdTp eiyib leghaocdF uspytererui ,efeeyomg fl Llen rnecrefbat a ore Dvtutensrhleoeamrrptr,nenebr orriin derunumaBa a sggYibatsad, eehy yian nGdo fi nadtag lah glaCor eireemmlenehdsa datcoorp hiw til srrtnui leeooetai btm stn nnhtt,hshs tda aewi Ca vk hsa Eneehes enav r ur r$dreatia pse v2 nttiapqeoh8nm, reu ie,vc a0aric icetlt0slaoe k 0trdi ors e ! of Christmas carols. TOhwannekrss tCo ltuhbe, gMeankeero-As-itWy iasnhd F koiunndd sautpiopno crta onf ctohnet Fineurera troi help make wishes come true! BAKING WITH LOVE snactoefii KhlAdralv doau fresrlectry eotatro usesnetldhiaa gvoo etme fnefGno r mbytorci-r a fhaclid snkit5oap’eei tny Sdsdicas a ctortugoeayhomo sdioesko p onewifdetulsd,ihss onu W .emndrl ireTk.oreo haent rtehi egshr a ae petYtirh r n sitoafnhbtrjnguoeeo dcm w$Xpte3 urnwTco0aatu0dansnp us fjbac orchonaatnesmdkkgl ee dw od2s teo 0 harv0eene rdr artlamoTeiwhasoiernann rgggidn rt$sgoh 2 uaee0p ixrg0 pfr,fe eeealalrtlsi otet ehwwnrac ecptel alet hauaeesssrs etpf.,uh raneotydmt rawoainitese ret ehgr earwaibrca lteisao rtuago seg nctre oeosnafs tt r ibute By Loh Wan Ning, Donor 3 NGEE ANN BUSINESS STUDIES’ TSHIRT FUNDRAISER As a graduation project, the students of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Business Studies decided to combine their passion for business with a social cause. Instead of wrapping up their last year with indulgent parties, they focused their efforts on something more meaningful and memorable. After having their graduation wishes fulfilled through hard work, the students wanted to contribute back to society by helping to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. By organizing the first ever Business Studies shirt sales where all net earnings were donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the course-wide event not only brought the students closer as a team, but also lit up a spirit of giving in their hearts. By Zaneta Lai, Donor LOVE FOR A CAUSE mtFCWhaSoopeleoi huOntfipuda tu lenh lihnorinecmdclcteidds g oneah5aops aen nla trfti rtc hbjt chto iSuWfosfe loeevuFnei nlnn lsiehn cetns ggod beSdtbhgwiialierrfoidrot antaiptuilsn orohtgiidoathsid nce oawrreiteeksn eynwpclsia.’i g t.so vo2 roh o a efrr0e-c Toeafitsh1vs ohh rtc otee 6eomieothsund,hdf im crt sWlpe cd ogoulc rhiurvuthlolpaealimnepelejlpdnselcrgceees o rch$weolend ort j1’mn tt apiscw “t, trt he2kLaiChosanr 0on e lCisghwioa0vdfi iroe fide nVi uttf-ler ,eaohlantsf efshWol mftiegcMqoe rrsneae hiu rlaatNttian eeaeisS kntdeCe rs eeimettlwin.aooeen- sgA iu sdci s’nYga s -k sDaegarWpe iasao sao”n ir n ysr t.e h By Sharon Chan, Donor 4 WISH STORIES Matthew’s Laser Tag Party Matthew who suffers from Burkitt’s lymphoma loves gaming, particularly Minecraft and Skylander. One can see his eyes sparkle when talking passionately about them. He surfs the web for information on Nintendo games and extensively reads their reviews. This was how Make-A-Wish identified Matthew’s wish to have a handset with pre-installed games. Make-A-Wish told Matthew that we were planning a laser tag party so that instead of playing a virtual game, he would get to play it in real life. During his Wish Day, Matthew and his friends were tasked three missions, taking the game very seriously with a lot of strategy planning. Once the missions were over, they were rewarded with a pizza party and a Sharp Shooter Award for “Best Shooter”. The highlight of the day arrived when Matthew was presented his Nintendo game set and games. He was so overjoyed he was speechless! Matthew was referred to us by the Children’s Cancer Foundation at KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital (KKH). Wish Granters: I-Lin, Paul & Sean 5 I n d e p e n d e n c e o n W h e e l s 1dw1OtywTao-asenaynhgtestx eesrterhe opeaet ayitrhpsed hro wg-e hrh easoitiyaheyvrodpl .ddeenc f etoHm rn coecAter eouisia o saa aA ltrw pdrcl nws oaoto Wah briniueomossa yitxnh sinl spfschsho a w.lali d eb custDTnaotiiss alehdnaise itgvb ee y arthfen, vewhto di oei2 esurn cads s 1 sgafyqyee re c b fuidttmere l yreioi onneasw osfcfddnft ttfisitlwdeo stohc,th d rsoseh gg is s De eaowovpae eunti-tfaids oltkecdtsrih o atthk w 2 yfa r aaeas0 tphtrs n m p serudt vnehlmuelriaoeemlierlyvslcas pu meihRh.nmsrn r iaTyeuossate iehses arrcmoo.e ic dhs aprurTub ensoSpunhlec daondeawerkr slidf A-q hiec pnsegaouthi osyrod ewiotsl ited nrPaen i traatr hseevnri nkgers .hd.a nd pAlaayro “nc awtacsh ”r.e ferred to us by National University Hospital (NUH). Wish Granters: Felicia, Esther & Kah Lin 6 WISH STORIES Perfect Princess Room Ophelia is twelve and loves Disney princesses. Her wish is to have a room makeover as she does not have any wardrobe nor closet space. When the Make- A-Wish Wish Granters first visited, all of Ophelia’s clothes, medical supplies, mattresses and many other items were strewn all over the room. Ophelia’s bed was also tiny and visibly meant for one a lot smaller in size! It was not long before the Make-A-Wish Wish Granters got down to work with a contractor and a designer to bring a new lease of life to Ophelia’s room. This meant the installation of new wardrobes, bed frame Wish Granters: and mattresses, curtains, bed sheets and even Irene, Alvin & Su Xin ‘princess-themed’ wall murals! Aside from bringing colour to the room, the makeover also allowed the effective storage of her daily necessities and medical supplies. The room reveal was a cosy and private affair with only Ophelia’s family members. It was coupled with a princess-themed afternoon tea with colourful crockery, balloons and a gift hamper with various goodies. Ophelia was referred to us by KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital (KKH). 7 Amber’s Australia Expedition Unlike most little girls, Amber is not a fan of Frozen or any Wish Granters: other Disney/cartoon characters. She does not watch much Eugene, Anthea & Arthur television programmes as well. However, Amber dearly loves animals and would follow her pet Dachshund around the house. She also likes drawing and “masak-masak”, playing with toy kitchen equipment and food. It is with little wonder then that Amber’s wish was to go to Australia to explore outdoor spaces and spend time with farm animals. In preparation for her trip, Amber asked to watch airplane videos on YouTube. She also went round telling others that she would be traveling to Australia. Amber’s Brisbane leg of the trip was a relaxing self-drive to a farm where she experienced many pony rides and helped the farmer with his chickens. Much to her parents’ amazement, she was a natural at catching those chickens! They went on to Gold Coast, where Amber visited Sea World and braved all the scary rides. She also loved her huge apartment and its beach view. For the nature lover, this was truly a trip to remember. Amber was referred to us by the Children’s Cancer Foundation at the National University Hospital (NUH). 8 WISH STORIES Sleeping with Fishes SmHheayrna ywn inosebh s iwsta aacs lbe tuso b webniltyjho aythn tedh elco hvveieee warfn uodlf tsmeunap-rpyinepeao rra-ton flirdmo mwalhs f oas muhrairlyso uaonnvddeir ncfrgoie mhneedr s . within the comfort of a bedroom. HwftwOo8hehr0ieprn e, ted0srnhenp0oieg e0w sOhrc hesatcie va neat elhigat ma dano–lata t o Ht yllthsof oa se owo bt lkamefiht ra8areatire0trgjn eed0ah sa lStldwt oliihlicn iwfyatf theOaobs rn oaceotnh uennseetatep nmsa wet pnhcSaoedieruaric lnilhdoti eeeVep’ss .rIpl P .iFbffo eaiittrg.mott geuTuidenlhry s ie atwtwy t ti aiotttmhqohu u eelflbda oSes rboio EuueroA-mp tns oA cpec-qlecxoaunehsmadiielberii nniiw utgg,mi t thh e TSSsehhphveyeey aannWnnd tinniasneekhg i lwn Gohgvaro aesaund rtrts hee– rle riapslxlxe lpueidnlsno ghswr uidtintroihgepy d tstih hn,t eeh ht ahabrtoenr eot dpham eoltoh owrt-oli!oti oatnhmks ihn awegnr a dvssi ie nbfiwallilune atgdincs dwa a lis-tnhthdh ee e cvemoenuerdysdeti nhdcsia nu,k gp e s. SKhKy Wanonme ewna’ss &re Cfehrirleddre tno’ su Hs obsyp tihtael C(KhKilHdr)e.n’s Cancer Foundation at KatheWriisnhe ,G Cralanrtae r&s :L ydia
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