7-year-old Adil, from Kensal Green, hopes that his wish for a ‘big party’ with all his loved ones will draw a line under three years of treatment for leukaemia. Adil is one of 56 children in London who have overcome or are living with a critical condition, and waiting for their wish to come true.
‘Adil was born a healthy child,’ remembers Mum, Maria. ‘Then, when he was 3 years old, he was diagnosed with leukaemia. Our whole world changed overnight. Dealing with a life-threatening illness was very hard for all of us to accept.’
Adil was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – a rare and aggressive form of cancer which affects white blood cells. It is diagnosed in less than 800 people in the UK every year.
Adil was immediately launched into three years of gruelling treatment, meaning he has now spent over half of his childhood in hospital.
Maria said: ‘Chemotherapy was very hard. Our happy, bubbly baby was tired and sad all the time. He just wanted to be like other children.’
‘It made me feel sad because I had to miss school and stay with the doctors,’ remembers Adil, who lost his hair during treatment. ‘I didn’t get to play with my friends.’
Now thankfully in remission, Archie hopes to have his wish for ‘a big party’ to celebrate the end of treatment granted by Make-A-Wish UK.
Jason Suckley, Chief Executive of Make-A-Wish UK, said: ‘When a child like Adil is diagnosed with a critical condition, the joy of childhood is brought to an abrupt end with treatment plans, appointments and worry taking over. The power of a wish revives that childhood, bringing light and joy to children and their loved ones, leaving a profound and lasting impact on all their lives.
With 503 children waiting for their wish across the UK – including Adil himself – we need to raise £1.25 million to clear the Wish Map by World Wish Day on April 29th. Critically ill children and their families have been waiting long enough. By donating today at www.make-a-wish.org.uk/world-wish-day/ you have the power to light up the darkness for more children like Adil.’
Maria said: ‘After what we’ve been through for the past three and a half years, the chance to be together with all his friends will help celebrate his recovery and unite us as family.’
For Adil, the party is an opportunity to do his favourite thing in the world – play.
‘What will be special about my party is I’ll get to do fun things with people!’ he said. ‘Big, big party!’
