When Ashburton teenager Hazel was 14, she was diagnosed with viral meningitis, a condition that rapidly developed into encephalitis - a serious swelling of the brain that can be life-threatening.
The young teen was hospitalised for three weeks and was unable to attend school for more than six months. Her recovery was long and gruelling, including undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the Burwood Brain Injury Unit in Christchurch. Hazel had to relearn how to tie her shoelaces, walk in a straight line and basic mathematics.
"My parents were told to prepare for me to die," recalled Hazel, now 27. "It was a really, really tough time for my family. I just didn't know if I was ever going to get better."
Although the debilitating illness changed Hazel's life for the worse, one wish transformed her journey for the better.
Hazel had yearned to meet her long time hero, the highly regarded New Zealand fashion designer Karen Walker - and after her family applied to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2012, that dream became a reality.
Soon after, Hazel was flown to Auckland and spent the day at Karen's workshop and her successful store in Newmarket, gaining invaluable insight from one of the country's leading designers. It was a dream come true for the then-16-year-old, who had envisaged establishing her own business with her passion for photography.
"To have a day all about me was pretty amazing. It was a really special time for me to put aside all the sadness… I just can't believe Make-A-Wish could make that all happen."
And this was one dream Hazel didn't wake up from. Over the past decade, Karen has continued to be involved in her life as a mentor and friend, imparting her wisdom and knowledge on Hazel over the years. Now 10 years after Hazel's wish, the 24-year-old - who has her own photography business specialising in architectural and commercial work - says the opportunity changed her life for the better.
"We just clicked… mum asked Karen if she had ever mentored anyone, and Karen said openly, 'I've never been asked before'. That moment led me to email her later on and ask the question, if she wanted to be my mentor. She came back immediately and said, 'Hazel, I would be delighted to be your mentor'.
"That was the start to the most amazing experience for me. She's still my mentor now. We are very good friends."
Make-A-Wish fulfils the wishes of children with critical illnesses between the ages of three and 17; children do not need to have a terminal illness to qualify. The conditions that qualify are regularly reviewed by the International Medical Committee, which recently approved rheumatic heart disease
"It grants wishes to people like me who have had a really tough time and need something to look forward to," Hazel added.
"I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now without the Make-A-Wish Foundation. They've truly changed my life."
Reflecting on Hazel's case, Make-A-Wish Chief Executive Pam Elgar ONZM noted how one wish 10 years ago this November, has had lasting and invaluable impacts on Hazel's life.
"It gave her opportunities and a lifelong friendship and relationship with Karen Walker. This in turn allowed her to develop her own architectural photography business. She has continued to support Make-A-Wish since her wish," Elgar said.
"Funding wishes is critical to achieving our mission… Wishes deliver hope, joy and strength to our children and provide a positive opportunity to think about wellness and being a child again. We try where humanly possible to provide the wish requested."
Every donation makes a difference
In the lead-up to Christmas, there are many children experiencing life-threatening or critical illnesses across Aotearoa whose lives could be changed for the better with one wish. But unlike in the movies, the wishes don't come true with the wave of a magic wand or by rubbing a lamp - funding is needed to make these Kiwi childrens' dreams become a reality.
As a non-profit charity without Government funding, Make-A-Wish is reliant on the generous support of donors, corporate partners and suppliers to transform these children's lives. Each donation isn't just funding a present, you help fund an experience for not only the wish child but the wider family, friends and impacts on the community. As we head to the holidays, we The wish supports an opportunity that can shape the wish child's future, like that of Hazel.
As we head towards the Christmas holidays we have 50 wishes that need to be delivered. "We need to raise $250,000 to be able to deliver these 50 wishes to New Zealand children," Elgar explained.
"Regularly donating to Make-A-Wish is incredibly helpful and every dollar matters. $1 from 250,000 New Zealanders helps deliver these 50 wishes."
All donations support the development and delivery of wishes to children across New Zealand. You can also volunteer to be a Wish volunteer, or you might like to set up your own fundraiser activity or event."
Help bring joy, hope and strength to New Zealand children with critical illnesses.
"With your help we are hopeful this campaign will support the funding of 50 wishes and all the wishes in our pipeline for the remainder of this year," Elgar added.
Donate a wish today to give a child hope for the future.
Article created in partnership with Make-A-Wish.