Cover Non-profit organisation Make-A-Wish Malaysia granted its 1000th wish this May to a nine-year-old neuroblastoma patient
Non-profit organisation Make-A-Wish Malaysia granted its 1000th wish this May to a nine-year-old neuroblastoma patient
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Non-profit organisation Make-A-Wish Malaysia granted its 1000th wish this May to a nine-year-old neuroblastoma patient
While many little girls who grew up watching The Little Mermaid may have may dreamt of transforming into a princess, one little girl got to experience that magic for a day, thanks to Make-A-Wish Malaysia.
A non-profit organisation dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children aged three to 18 with critical illnesses, Make-A-Wish Malaysia celebrated its 1000th wish milestone this year.
In partnership with Sunway Malls & Theme Parks, Make-A-Wish Malaysia granted its 1000th wish to nine-year-old Ayra Medina, a neuroblastoma patient.
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Above The Underwater Selfie corner was a hit with young guests
Above Mermaid-themed cupcakes and more sweet treats
The Underwater Selfie corner was a hit with young guests
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Above The setup for the grand princess party
The setup for the grand princess party
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Gracing the event was Royal Patron of Make-A-Wish Malaysia, Tengku Datin Paduka Setia Zatashah, who crowned a beaming Ayra in an adorable mermaid princess coronation ceremony at Sunway Lagoon’s Pink Island. Later, Ayra was presented with an official pearl sceptre by Sunway Theme Parks executive director Calvin Ho.
“At Make-A-Wish Malaysia, we are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our donors and partners, which has enabled us to grant 1,000 wishes,” says Make-A-Wish Malaysia CEO Irene Tan.
“We strive to give back to the community by sharing the joy and power of a wish to critically ill children worldwide through this Pearl of Hope celebration. We hope this celebration will inspire Malaysians to become their own pearls of hope, helping us to grant the next 1,000 wishes,”
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Irene Tan, Tengku Zatashah, Ayra and Calvin Ho
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Ayra then headed to the Surf Beach Pool to don her mermaid tail and wetsuit for some splashing fun in the sun with other life-sized mermaids as they embarked on a seashell hunting activity.
Guests and donors were also able to share the fun by participating in a mermaid makeover with hair styling and face painting, snap selfies at the Underwater Selfie corner, and enjoy mermaid-themed cupcakes.
A fitting end to a day of royal pampering and waterside wishes, Ayra and her family were treated to a stay at Sunway Resort Hotel which overlooks Sunway Lagoon.
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Above All smiles: Ayra Medina and her father Muhammad Fizrullah
All smiles: Ayra Medina and her father Muhammad Fizrullah
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Grateful to both Make-A-Wish Malaysia and Sunway Malls & Theme Parks for making his daughter’s wish come true, Ayra’s father Muhammad Fizrullah, said: “As a parent, seeing Ayra laugh and be a child again is an indescribable joy. The happiness on Ayra’s face when she was crowned a Mermaid Princess is a memory our family will cherish forever.
“This wish-granting experience has brought so much courage to Ayra and given us all a renewed sense of hope and strength.”
Credits
Photography: Make-A-Wish Malaysia
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
