‘Dream come true’: Cancer survivor’s wish to go to Disney no longer ‘a secret’
Many kids wish to go to Disney World and meet Mickey Mouse, visit Hogwarts, test their stomachs on the roller-coasters and just wander the enchanted grounds.
For nine-year-old cancer survivor Lilyana El-Hajjar, her wish has come true.
Lilyana arrived at Calgary International Airport on Tuesday morning expecting to say goodbye to her uncle. Instead, she was greeted by five Disney princesses, Roary the Lion and representatives from the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada who told her she and her family would be flying to Disney World that morning.
“I’m very excited,” said Lilyana. “On a scale of one to 10, I’m a 10, for sure.”
Lilyana’s wish was granted by the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada as part of Children’s Wish Month, being celebrated across Canada for the month of March.
Lilyana was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was six years old, having to endure almost three years of invasive treatment and multiple trips to the hospital.
Her father, Abed El-Hajjar, said the past two-and-a-half years have been a struggle for him and Lilyana’s mother, Su, but can now happily say the battle is over.
“When you realize that it’s all gone, that in itself is a dream come true,” said El-Hajjar. “Hopefully it’s all positives from now on.”
El-Hajjar said this trip won’t only be enjoyed by Lilyana, but by the entire family.
He said the family’s strength has been tested over the past couple of years, and they’ve all helped Lilyana push through her successful battle with cancer.
“It’s a trial for everybody,” said El-Hajjar. “God tests everybody in certain ways and he tested us in this way.”
Since it was decided three months ago that Lilyana’s wish would be granted, El-Hajjar and his wife had to attempt to keep it a secret, not just from Lilyana but from her two sisters, Rianna, 7, and Aya, 4, as well.
“We kept it a secret from all of them,” said El-Hajjar. “You know kids, they can’t keep anything a secret.”
In order for a child to be eligible for a wish to be granted with Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, they must meet three different criteria — they have to be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, be a resident of Canada and be between the ages of 3 and 17.
Rhys Dowbiggin, communications specialist for Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, said they don’t pick or choose families when it comes to granting a wish. He said as long as they meet the criteria, their wish will be granted.
“As long as a child is eligible, they’re going to get their wish, no matter what the conditions are,” said Dowbiggin.
“Our mandate is to never deny an eligible child their single-most heartfelt wish.”