**Reminder for those interested in attending the Make-A-Wish foundations annual Wish Ball**
29 August, 2009
6:30 pm
The Canberra Branch of Make-A-Wish® Australia invites you to their annual Wish Ball to be held on Saturday 29 August at the Hellenic Club of Canberra.
Commencing at 6.30 pm this wonderful evening includes a 3 course meal, beer, wine and soft drinks as well as live music by Heuristic. There will also be live and silent auctions and raffles during the night. Help raise valuable funds for children with life threatening illnesses.
Tickets are $95 single, $180 double.
Please contact the Hellenic Club on 6281 0899 or Karen on 0412 193 755 or alternatively kkeunen@jjmh.com.au to purchase your tickets.
C’mon guys, show your support! Heres a bit about the Make-A-Wish Foundation
Make-A-Wish® Australia has been granting Wishes to children and young people since 1985. Wishes bring magic, joy and hope to these children and their families, as well as unforgettable experiences. We are the only children’s charity in Australia that focuses solely on Wish granting.
Our Mission is to grant the Wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. All Australians have the opportunity to share the power of a wish.
The first Wish
All his life, Christopher James Greicius dreamed of becoming a police officer. This Wish was to become the inspiration for the largest wish-granting organisation in the world.
In 1980, at the age of 7, Chris was diagnosed with leukaemia. Upon learning that Chris’s most cherished Wish was to be a policeman, members of the Arizona State Troopers began working to ensure his dream came true. They arranged for Chris to take a flight in a police helicopter, ride in a patrol car and presented him with his very own uniform. He was even sworn in as an honorary member of the force.
Sadly, Chris passed away shortly afterwards. But the seed had been planted.
After attending Chris’s funeral, two of the State Troopers reflected on the experience of making his dream come true. They thought that if one boy’s Wish could be granted, maybe the same could be done for other children. At that moment, the idea for Make-A-Wish was born.
Make-A-Wish in Australia
In 1985, two Australians heard a speech that changed their lives. Since that time, Make-A-Wish Australia has granted over 5700 Wishes to Australian children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Make-A-Wish Australia’s first wish
Our first Wish was granted to 16-year-old Shawn Cleland of Footscray in Melbourne in 1985. An avid fan of AFL, Shawn’s Wish was to meet the players of his beloved Footscray.
Shawn had never flown in a plane – so Make-A-Wish added an extra-special touch, flying Shawn to Sydney to see the Bulldogs play the Swans.
“Walking was my first choice of a Wish”, said Shawn who was confined to a wheelchair due to his illness. His second was to play cricket for Australia or football for Footscray.
Shawn’s favourite player, Footscray legend Simon Beasley, paid him a visit before the trip, “Tell the team that if they get a thrashing they deserve a salary cut”, Shawn joked.