HOLDING STATEMENT
AUGUST 2011

Special Wish Granted to Commemorate Two Special Anniversaries

This September, one Kiwi teen will be travelling to New York to have his wish come true courtesy of Make-A-Wish New Zealand, who is celebrating their 25 year anniversary this year.

Jacob Knight (pictured below) is only 16 years old, and has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). His dream is to be a firefighter, and his one wish was to go to New York to meet Joseph Pfeifer - Chief of the New York City Fire Department for the 10-year commemoration of the 9/11 attacks.

Make-A-Wish is an organisation that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. Meeting Pfeifer, who was a hero on September 11 2001, will be a very special experience for Jacob, particularly because he has a strong interest in firefighting, and currently volunteers at his local station.

Laura Harrison, Acting CEO of Make-A-Wish NZ, says she is thrilled that they were able to make Jacob’s wish come true.

“This is a very exciting year for Make-A-Wish New Zealand, and we are really proud to be able to make Jacob’s wish a reality.”

“We have been granting wishes to Kiwi kids for 25 years now, which is an amazing accomplishment for the organisation. The resource to send kids to the other side of the world isn’t always available, but this is a special year for us and we’re excited that we can make it a special year for Jacob as well,” says Harrison.

Make-A-Wish has been operating internationally since 1980, when Christopher Greicius wished he could be a police officer.

At the age of 7, Chris was diagnosed with leukaemia. After learning that Chris’s biggest wish was to be a police officer, the Arizona State Troopers began preparing to make his wish come true.

Chris was taken for a ride in a police helicopter and a patrol car, and was given his very own uniform. He was even sworn in as an honorary member of the force. Sadly, Chris passed away shortly after, but since then the Make-A-Wish dream was born, and has extended its wish giving throughout the world.

Since Make-A-Wish started in New Zealand 25 years ago, thousands of wishes have been granted to Kiwi kids like Jacob – over 160 every year.

“Make-A-Wish exists solely for bringing joy into the lives of children that are otherwise having a hard time.”

“We wish Jacob all the best on his trip, and hope he has a great time,” says Harrison.

Jacob will be in New York from the 8th – 20th of September. Make-A-Wish’s 25th anniversary will be celebrated on XXX.

www.makeawish.org.nz

ENDS

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