MAW Melody Xmas theme Facebook cover

Melody's wish: "I wish for a bedroom makeover"

Beautiful, energetic Mel was always active. She loved going on family walks and playing sports.

Just after her 10th birthday last October, Mel started getting too tired to play the sports she loved. And she needed sick days from school. She was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia.  

"Mel’s bone marrow was no longer producing the blood cells her body needed to survive. She needed a bone marrow transplant donor.” Tania, Mel's mum

Every member of Mel’s family, even her little brothers, got tested, praying one of them would be a genetic match. “No one hesitated. I was so proud of them.”

Finally, they got the call. Mel’s 6-year-old youngest brother Hercules was a match.

He had no doubt or fear. He felt special, like a hero who beat all his siblings in the competition to save Mel.

Mel braved more transfusions and chemotherapy, so her body could accept the new cells it needed. One morning, Mel woke up to find her hair had fallen out all over her pillow. “When she lost her long, beautiful hair, she was just broken. We cried together, then gathered it all up to throw away. “

 “In the hospital, we were given a Make-A-Wish application form. I didn’t think we deserved a wish, but we filled it out anyway, grateful for any help Mel could get.”

Mel was thrilled when she found out she would be granted a wish. She began dreaming about all the possibilities. Rather than thinking about her treatment, her wish gave her the freedom to be a kid again.

When Mel was sick, Make-A-Wish gave her a reason to smile, and to look forward with hope. Your donation could be transformational for a child battling a critical illness.

What to wish for?

Throughout her treatment, Mel was afraid to be alone or sleep alone in the dark. She slept next to her mum or on the couch, always close to someone else. 

When Mel saw Make-A-Wish had granted a bedroom makeover for a girl who had the same condition as her, she instantly knew that’s what she would wish for too – for her bedroom to be her safe haven.

Mel and her siblings had so much fun discussing her ideas. Her brothers and sisters felt helpless when Mel was diagnosed, but bonding over the excitement of her wish gave them a way to help and keep her spirits up.

The empowerment Mel felt while anticipating her wish played a huge part in her recovery. Right now, there are more children in need of hope and positivity to help them through recovery. Will you donate to make their wish come true?

“Her new bedroom was everything she dreamed it would be. I can’t even express how thankful we are. There are so many quality things in that room that we’re not used to.” 

When Mel got a room makeover, it was a momentous occasion for the whole family. All her siblings dragged their mattresses into her room for a weeklong sleepover to celebrate! 

Finally, Mel had the confidence to sleep in her room alone again (once her siblings gave her the chance to).

After all, she’s been through, Mel doesn’t take a single day for granted. Every morning, without fail, she runs from her new bedroom, down the stairs, to give her dad and mum a hug and kiss before they leave for work. It is her mum's favorite part of the day. 

Many more families and children face illness right now, and they need your help too. This Christmas, please donate to make another critically ill child’s wish come true.

Grant a kiwi kid's wish...