‘Just a breath of relief’: Make-a-Wish Trees of Joy campaign supports 20 area children with critical illness

Make-A-Wish Trees of Joy sees 20 local kids get their own personalized Christmas trees. CTV’s Bryan Bicknell has the story.

Wishes came true in London, Ont. Thursday, as Make-a-Wish Canada hosted its annual Trees of Joy event.

Among those taking part, 11-year-old Marcus, whose family recently took a trip to Disney World in Florida for his wish.

The youngster was asked what he liked best.

“Rollercoasters,” said Marcus.

The family, from Windsor, is taking part in Trees of Joy, where a custom festive tree is decorated for every child’s unique interests and favourite things, and taken to each family’s home.

Marcus has leukemia and has been in and out of Children’s Hospital in London over the last three years. Parents Cindy and Adiran say Make-a-Wish is a break from the stress.

“You know after tough times supporting Marcus, just another way they really contribute to our family. Just a breath of relief, especially during the holidays, and really happy to be here and have support that they’ve shown us over the years,” said Adrian.

“We went to Disney, and it was a wonderful family trip to not worry about anything, and just be kids and a family, and this too. Just kind of puts all the stress behind and try to move forward,” added Cindy.

The Trees of Joy London event supports 20 children with critical illness and their families, a number that’s up from 16 last year.

Across Ontario, 1,200 children are waiting for their wish, according to Make-a-Wish Canada CEO Meaghan Stovel McKnight.

“Because wishes are medicine. And through events like Trees of Joy we are able to raise money to make these wishes come true because we receive no government funding,” she said.

Each of these kids is on their own journey with critical illness, and they have been prescribed a wish to help them on that journey,” said Stovel McKnight.

The Trees of Joy London event raised $200,000 through various sponsors, adds Stovel McKnight.

“Each of these sponsors here today has given $10,000 to wish it forward to a child to receive their wish next year,” she said.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to Make-a-Wish Canada can do so on the Make-a-Wish website.