Ahead of Wish Day the Make-A-Wish Foundation is seeking 55 local volunteers

As the Make-A-Wish Foundation annual fund raiser approaches, one Meath 17 year old is still enjoying wonderful memories of a trip to New York last April.

Josh Early from Kilbride, Clonee, who is living  with a type of cancer, B-cell lymphoma, was treated to a fantastic action-packed four days in New York with his Mum and best friend, thanks to the Make-a -Wish-Foundation.
Josh and his family will be supporting Wish Day on Friday 9th March, the flagship fundraising day for the charity.
His Mum Jane said, “Josh and all of us had the most fantastic time and will cherish the memories forever. It really was just the most unbelievable few days.”
Make-A-Wish needs 55 local volunteers on Wish Day to give just a few hours of their time to sell wristbands in their local supermarket or shopping centre in order to raise much-needed funds for the charity.
Last year, in Meath alone, the charity made wishes come true for eight local children living with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, cystic fibrosis and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Make-A-Wish would like to get across to parents that they grant wishes for children living with life threatening, but not necessarily terminal illnesses. 
Jane explains that Josh was diagnosed when he had just turned 13. “He completed four years of chemotherapy in April of last year.
“He went through so much, but is doing very well now, thank god. Everything is great.”
His treatment was difficult, but Joseph managed to continue going to school and even sat his Junior Cert.
His wish coincided with the end of his treatment.
“He wanted to go to New York and Make-a-Wish arranged it all,” says Jane.
Josh brought his best friend, Thomas McCabe whom he had been friends with since he was three years old, with him. Jane and Thomas’ mother, Ann also went.
“Thomas has been a wonderful friend to him  and we all had a great time.
“We stayed near Central Park and Make-a-Wish organised everything.
“We visited every single sight - the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Centre, Ellis Island, Trump Tower, the Rockerfeller Centre, everything.
“We were all very tired when we got home, but it was wonderful and we created great memories.”
Josh is now in fifth year in school and enjoying life, feeling healthy and well and he will never forget the wonderful trip he had to New York.
According to Make-A-Wish, dreams coming true can have a hugely positive impact on a child and their families, giving strength, hope and joy. Research shows children who have wishes granted are more likely to build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a serious illness. 
Children's wishes can range from being a princess for the day or meeting their hero, to going on a once-in-a-lifetime family holiday. Wherever possible, the child’s family is invited to share in the wish experience, creating lasting memories for all the family, the wider local community and all of those involved in granting the wish.
Make-A-Wish Ireland CEO, Susan O’Dwyer said, “Children with life-threatening illnesses need your help today. Your precious gift of time this Wish Day will enable us to make wishes come true for seriously ill children when they most need strength, hope and joy. We have granted almost 2,200 wishes for Irish children which would not be possible without the support of the Irish public. A few hours from the people of Meath on Friday 9th March to help raise valuable funds will make wishes come true for more children in your community.”
Wish Day will take place across Ireland and Make-A-Wish volunteers will be selling wristbands and transfers, costing €2 each, at locations including Ashbourne and Navan. 100% of proceeds collected will support wish granting for children living with life-threatening illnesses. To sign up to volunteer visit www.makeawish.ie/wishday or contact Daragh on (01) 2052011 / daragh@makeawish.ie