A Starlight Wish often involves a young child hoping for a trip to Disneyland or a meeting with a rock star.
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But the Starlight Children's Foundation also helps grant wishes to patients aged up to 22.
And it is hoping generous Canberra businesses will rally to help a dream come true for a 19-year-old from the national capital who is battling cancer.
Kris Davis is an aspiring auto mechanics apprentice who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a cancer affecting his blood and bone marrow, in February this year.
The teenager from Holt had been restoring his much-loved 1982 Holden WB One Tonne Ute with his dad Craig, older brother Jonathon and some mates.
But the project was put on hold while he focused on getting better at Canberra Hospital.
"I love tinkering with cars and growing up, always wanted to build my own car. One day I hope to be a diesel mechanic. I can't tell you how excited I am to get started," Kris said.
"After falling sick earlier this year, my plans came to a standstill, but the dream never fades. It's incredible to think, after being sick for most of this year, Starlight is making my wish come true and helping me finish what I started."
A Starlight wish aims to give the recipient and their family something positive to look forward to during treatment.
To complete Kris' wish, Starlight is looking for local Canberra-based supporters to help with the supply and installation of:
- a new motor or motor and gearbox upgrade;
- re-wiring throughout the car;
- fitting of a new statesman front end;
- a reverse cowl bonnet scoop;
- re-upholstery;
- Simmons Rims;
- and a timber tray
"I'd love to have 'Starlight' stitched onto the glovebox as a reminder of this incredible experience. Once my car is restored, I want to enter it into car competitions around the country to raise money to help others going through a tough time," Kris said.
Starlight volunteer Margaret Job is confident the Canberra community will get behind Kris and help bring his Starlight wish to life.
"We're calling for the people of Canberra to help us by providing parts and skilled labour support such as panel beaters, mechanics, auto-electricians and reupholsters. Every little bit will help," Ms Jon said.
"Each Starlight wish is unique, with the wish recipient choosing their own special experience. Sharing in a life-changing Starlight wish not only lifts the spirit of the recipient, but it brings the entire family together for much-needed distraction from the stresses they've experienced from hospitalisation and treatment."
Starlight's wish granting program supports children, adolescents and young people (up to 22 years old), who have a wide range of illnesses and injuries.
Each week about 12 new children, adolescents or young people are referred for a Starlight wish by a health professional. Since its establishment in Australia in 1988, Starlight has fulfilled more than 9400 wishes.
This year Starlight aims to grant 550 wishes like Kris'. Starlight relies solely on the support of the community to deliver its program.
Local businesses who can pledge their support by providing parts and skilled labour for Kris' deam can visit https://starlight.org.au/what-we-do/our-stories/kids-teens/kris-story or contact Charlotte Barry on charlotte.barry@starlight.org.au or (02) 8425 5983.
