KUALA LUMPUR — For children facing the uncertainty and hardship of critical illness, having something to look forward to can be more than a moment of happiness — it can give them the courage to keep fighting, says Make-A-Wish Malaysia chief executive officer Irene Tan.
Tan said the organisation’s work went beyond fulfilling a child’s dream, as each wish was intended to create an experience that could give children and their families hope while they navigate a difficult medical journey.
“Our mission is to grant wishes for critically ill children and bring hope, courage and strength to them,” she told reporters at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters today.
“We want to transform fear into courage so that they can continue their medical battle.”
Tan said Make-A-Wish Malaysia works with hospitals nationwide to identify eligible children, with doctors referring them to the organisation before trained volunteers, known as “wish catchers”, work to understand what each child genuinely wishes for.
She said the process could be particularly meaningful for children who had spent months undergoing treatment, with their daily lives often dominated by hospital visits, medical procedures and long periods away from normal childhood activities.
“Sometimes families give up because of cultural reasons, or because they think the child is going through such a difficult time,” she said.
“That is why we are there to give the parents hope, not to give up.”
Tan said a fulfilled wish could give children a temporary escape from the difficulties surrounding their illness while reminding them that people cared about them.
“For the kids, they are going through a very painful and difficult medical journey, and the wish tells them that people care about them,” she said.
“It tells them that life is worth battling the illness for.”
She cited four-year-old Hafiz, who is undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, as an example of how a child’s fascination could be turned into an experience that gave him something positive to focus on during treatment.
Hafiz was referred to Make-A-Wish Malaysia by his doctor earlier this year after his fascination with police cars became known to the organisation.
Tan said Hafiz had become interested in ride-on police cars at shopping malls, although the vehicles were not available for him to take home.
His wish was eventually transformed into a full police experience after Make-A-Wish Malaysia worked with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Hafiz’s medical team to ensure he was well enough to participate.
“We worked with the doctor to make sure that he was well enough to get the car and that he wasn’t warded in hospital,” Tan said.
The experience at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters included a welcome by police officers, interactive activities, a ride in a real police vehicle, a police salute demonstration and a brief roll-call demonstration.
Tan said the experience was especially significant because Hafiz had initially thought he was being taken to hospital again.
“I heard from his mother that he was unhappy when he woke up because he thought he was being dragged to hospital again,” she said.
“He threw a tantrum, but his parents settled him down. Then his mood changed when he realised it wasn’t the hospital.”
Tan said Hafiz’s reaction to the police officers showed how much the experience meant to him, particularly as he watched them during the demonstration.
“He was just staring and concentrating on the officers moving from line to line and saluting,” she said.
“I could see that he was enjoying it.”
Tan said wishes could have an even deeper impact on older children, who were often more aware of their illness and had begun thinking about their future.
“Older children understand their prognosis,” she said.
“So the wish can inspire them to get well, grow up and have a normal life.”
She recalled meeting children whose wishes reflected ambitions far removed from their medical circumstances, including those who wanted to become chefs, firefighters or even win an Oscar.
Tan also recalled an encounter involving a child travelling on the LRT, when a senior corporate executive from Prasarana Malaysia Berhad encouraged the youngster to get well and return one day.
“He whispered to the child, ‘When you get well, you make sure you come to us, we will definitely give you a job,’” she recalled.
Tan said Hafiz received similar encouragement during his police experience, with officers urging him to continue his treatment and return when he was stronger.
“They welcomed him back when he was well and encouraged him to be strong and continue with his treatment,” she said.
“They told him that hopefully he could come back stronger and maybe join the police force one day.”
Tan said such encouragement could help children see beyond their illness and continue imagining a future for themselves.
Make-A-Wish Malaysia has granted more than 1,300 wishes to children with critical illnesses nationwide since it began operating in Malaysia in 2010. — September 24, 2026