Susan McQuaid O'Dwyer

Mary, thank you so much for telling your story.

Every time I speak to you, I just remember such an incredible, incredible young boy.

Mary did sort of say to us that for one precious weekend, Erin wasn't a patient.

He wasn't a little boy fighting a tumour.

He was a nice, brave, joyful and celebrated.

And I think even in Make-A-Wish, when we talk about Erin and his unbelievable wish, we smile.

You know, because we see that incredible young boy and just the joy that he demonstrated himself.

But it is a wish that I've been a Make-A-Wish 20 years and it is a wish I'll never, ever forget.

And it touches me and I'm just really grateful for Mary to tell her story today.

Well, the sad thing is that the number of children being diagnosed with a critical illness every year is growing.

So we granted 229 wishes last year, and this year we're hoping to grant 260.

There's no government funding, so we totally and completely rely on the general public who we can't thank enough for their continued support.

I think the biggest thing of all is to remember that a wish offers more than a moment of happiness.

It offers strength.

It offers hope.

It offers courage.

And it allows the child to be seen in a brand new light, away from the illness, away from the treatment, away from the doctors.

And it provides a new talking point based on positivity.

And if we can do that for more children around the country, then we will have made a difference.

Well, that's where the funds come in.