From April 1st to April 30th Wish Heroes across Saskatchewan are busy fundraising for Make-A-Wish Canada through the Wish Hero Campaign! The Wish Heroes campaign celebrates the importance of wish-granting and the wonderful Make-A-Wish supporters. Now more than ever, the world needs the hope of a wish come true.
Here at Saskatchewan Blue Cross, we’ve had the pleasure of being involved with Make-A-Wish since 2006. This year we’ve teamed up with Make-A-Wish Canada to be the Ultimate Wish Hero for their Wish Hero campaign! The Wish Hero campaign changes the lives of the amazing children involved with this organization. It’s campaigns and organizations like these that allow Wish Kids to experience the life changing power of a wish.
That brings us to an important introduction – meet Bella, the Wish Hero Ambassador for the Make-a-Wish Wish Hero campaign! Bella is one of the amazing children who has recently made their most heartfelt wish. We had the pleasure of connecting with Bella and her mom Kyla to learn a little more about this year’s Wish Hero campaign ambassador.
7 year old Bella was born with a gastrointestinal disorder and has spent over 800 days in the hospital. She has been diagnosed with multiple rare conditions, had a bone marrow transplant at the age of one and is currently on the list for a bowel transplant.
Through all the hard times, Bella’s vibrant personality has always shined through. Bella and her family live on an acreage just outside of Swift Current, SK and they love to get outside when ever Bella is off IVs. Some of Bella’s favourite things to do are to play outside, go for nature walks, fly kites and explore. To relax and unwind, Bella and her family enjoy playing games on her iPad, or watching movies.
We asked Kyla what a typical day in the life looks like for their family. She shared, “A usual day at home starts with Bella waking up connected to her IVs (TPN & fluids). We start the online school day and meet with classmates & teachers. We pause for Bella’s medications throughout the day and her blood thinner needle. By lunch time Bella is able to be disconnected from her in lines. We take lots of breaks to play and can’t wait for Daddy to get home from work and her brother Waylon home from dayhome. We all have supper together, then get ready to hook Bella back up to IVs at bedtime.”
Kyla shared they first became involved with Make-A-Wish Canada when Bella was one year old and received a bone marrow transplant for having SCID. “From there, we planned to ask Bella what her wish would be after she was 3 years old. From there Bella’s bowel condition worsened and she was put on the transplant list for new bowel. Since then Bella has made her Wish and waiting for her magical fairyland playhouse to grow in our backyard!”
We asked Bella how she got the impressive title of Wish Hero Ambassador and she shared, “I think because we need more Heroes to make Wishes come true.”
Not only has Bella captured the hearts of those who have met her, but through social media, Bella and Kyla have connected with people all over the world! With 2.1 million followers on Tik Tok, Bella and Kyla have touched the hearts of millions.
When asked how they got started making Tik Toks, Bella says, “My mom took a video of me drawing a real good fox and a lot of people liked it.” Bella also shared her favourite part about making Tik Toks: “I really like making tutorials and showing people how to do spas and makeup.”
Bella also has a message for her Wish Hero supporters and friends: “I would like to say thank you for helping my wish come true and helping others kids like me.”
To learn more about how you can support the Wish Heroes campaign click here!