Coins tossed into Italy’s celebrated Trevi Fountain amount to about a million Euros each year as people trust their wishes to its ancient waters, shut their eyes and hope. Its popularity shows how much we love to indulge in rituals that might push a hope into a reality and recently, when Oncology was transformed into Aladdin’s treasure filled cave, families had the opportunity to wish on a genie’s magic lamp.

‘Make a wish! Write your wish on a genie or lamp. Close your eyes, rub the lamp, put your wish in. Let’s hope it may come true!’ read the tempting instructions, and many families obliged. You can read a selection below:

• I wish to be a superhero
• I want to be a fairy and be back by dinner
• I wish for a puppy
• To have a cat
• I wish I had a pet rainbow unicorn
• Swim with dolphin
• I wish for hand sanitiser
• I wish for teddy bears
• New tablet because my sister broke mine
• I wish to win Lego in the raffle
• I want a toy shop
• I wish I had two elves
• Meet genie and have all the marshmallow stuff
• I wish for candy and chocolate
• I wish for a craft book
• Never get a needle again
• I wish for a family holiday
• Let the holiday trip go without any major events
• Hope everyone gets lots of huggies and kisses
• Grow up quickly!!!!
• Wish everyone nice and healthy
• I wish to go home
• I wish every day is a Friday
• Happy times
• I wish my sister has a good day at school
• I wish my new high school keeps me happy
• I want a baby brother
• World peace
• I wish that I live here
• I wish that everyone here always stays happy
• Healthy family
• I want everyone to get better :)
• I love you everybody
• I wish for the sick to recover
• Happiness :)
• No more sick kids
• Good health, happiness and more rain
• We all have a fantastic 2020

This tiny portion of wishes was accompanied many more that wished that loved ones, and all people in the world, could be cured and have good health. Such as:

• Wish for no more cancer
• I wish everyone with cancer was cured
• A cure for all cancers

Although our own version of the Trevi Fountain was a genie lamp it was, we feel, just as magical and just the act of making a wish can be the start of something special. The Cancer Centre for Children conducts research and provides innovative treatments to work towards its wish for "a cure for all childhood cancers". Did you make a wish? If so, we hope it comes true.

Sign up with family and friends to do Bob ‘Tug’ Wilson’s Walk for Kids with Cancer. There are short walks for little feet and longer ones for those who like a challenge. All funds raised go to the Cancer Centre for Children. Find out more.

Research at the Cancer Centre for Children is a vital part of what we do as we strive for a cure for all childhood cancers. Take a look.