Light shines on wishes

By Paul Pickering
A SICK Boronia boy’s lifelong wish to meet his grandpa for the first time will be granted this Christmas.
Six-year-old Lachlan was diagnosed with a common form of kidney cancer called Wilm’s Tumour in April this year.
After having his kidney removed and enduring five months of ongoing chemotherapy, Lachlan was recently asked what it is he wanted most as part of the Starlight Children’s Foundation’s Starlight Wishes program.
After letting his imagination run wild, the St Bernadette’s Primary School student decided a trip to Queensland to meet his grandpa – and a quick detour to the Gold Coast’s theme park precinct – would be the ideal fillip after a tough year of treatment and hospitalisation.
For his mum Andrea, the trip – scheduled for next year – will provide a light at the end of the tunnel for her young family.
“It gives him something to look forward to,” Andrea said last week.
“We were going to go (to Queensland) before he was diagnosed but couldn’t in the end.”
As well as getting the chance to meet his grandpa, Lachlan is also looking forward to patting the dolphins at SeaWorld.
Having already discovered the value of Starlight Children’s Foundation through its Starlight Escapes and Starlight Express Rooms programs, Lachlan is now one of 152 Australian children to be granted their wish during the Christmas period.
Starlight’s head of marketing Anne Johnston said she hoped the program would provide some much-needed Christmas cheer.
“For seriously ill children and their families the magic of Christmas is often elusive – there are so many other pressures to cope with,” she said.
“Starlight Wishes provide these children and their families with really positive experiences at an extremely difficult time in their lives. “The benefits last well beyond the wish itself and help restore some of the fun and laughter all children deserve.”
Support for the Starlight Children’s Foundation can be given by calling 1300 737 827 or visiting www.starlight .org.au.