"I wish to have a princess ball"

“It was the end of May 2022; it was a normal day. She said her stomach was hurting, and I thought it must just be a stomach bug,” said Avia’s mum Nina. But later that day when Avia couldn’t keep down any medicine, and when Dad found a lump on the side of her body, Mum sought medical advice from 111. “When I told them her symptoms, they told me to immediately go to the hospital."

By the time Avia had arrived at hospital, the then five-year-old was screaming in pain. An ultrasound revealed a mass next to her kidney, prompting an admission to Royal London Hospital. Here Avia’s parents were told that their daughter had a tumour surrounding her kidney and after being moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital, further testing showed that Avia had a Wilms tumour - a rare type of kidney cancer.

Failed chemotherapy led to surgery that aimed to remove part of the tumour. Whilst her surgery was successful, it revealed that Avia’s tumour was high-risk. This meant that Avia had to endure another three months in hospital, undergoing high doses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As Mum recalled, “The next three months were hell, it was sad to see my daughter go through something so traumatic.”

The side effects of the intense forms of treatment were wide-ranging and severe. She had stomach pains and fevers constantly. She had appendicitis as well as so many traumatic things. The tumour impacted other parts of Avia’s childhood, robbing her of key school milestones as she was unable to attend year one as well as some of reception.

“It’s unreal to look at her and think two years ago we were in a different position," said mum. Now fortunately in remission, Avia is entering year three at school and with every day she moves further away from her cancer experience.

Avia’s Wish 

During her whirlwind arduous cancer treatment, one glimmer of childhood normality was her love of princesses. “She is really into princesses like Aurora. She has a tea set at home, she’ll ask me to get tea together” explains mum.   

Her love for princesses has only continued to grow as she experiences childhood away from hospital and so it was fitting that her wish would be princess-themed too! But the choice of wish stemmed from more than just Avia’s love for princesses - it would offer time focused on Avia rather than her diagnosis. 

After putting on her royal gown, Princess Avia was picked up by a horse-drawn carriage and dropped off at her ball. “That was her favourite part of the wish, she waved at people outside like she was an actual princess,” said Mum. On arrival, Avia received a royal welcome by two fellow princesses before being surprised by her friends. “She had the time of her life” said Mum.

How Avia’s wish helped

Avia’s wish made up for some of her key birthdays lost to her diagnosis. Avia's mum recalls "people had thought it was her birthday when I sent out the invites, even though her birthday wasn’t for a couple of months. So, they turned up with hampers and gifts! She missed two birthdays in hospital, so it makes up for it."

The day was made possible by the help of Make-A-Wish volunteers Ellie, Abbie, and Sean, who helped guide parents and children on the day, as well as organising the behind-the-scenes party essentials: “They were amazing! They helped direct parents, involved themselves, and really helped the wish happen," said mum, “These wishes remind children like Avia that despite what they have gone through there are people that care for them and want them to be happy. We couldn’t thank you all enough!”