Mum keeps paying back for son’s healing wish

Compassionate. Understanding. Caring

Many years ago, Kim Hiron and her family experienced the healing power of Make-A-Wish Australia when her son was recovering from cancer treatment.

Since then, she has dedicated many hours to helping make other children’s wishes come true and is the leader of the South Sydney branch of the organisation.

“My greatest joy is being able to help grant cherished wishes,” says Kim, a teacher, mother and grandmother.

She loves working with children and builds personal connections with the families she helps. “Being able to help bring joy, strength, hope and happiness to these special children and their families is a wonderful heartfelt experience,” she says.

Granting a sick child’s wish does more than create a special moment for them and their family; it can help them heal. “There are studies that show there is a positive health benefit for children.”

Kim is humbled and grateful to have been voted a Westfield Local Hero, but her biggest reward comes from seeing the impact of making wishes come true.

“The anticipation of a wish and having something fantastic to look forward to really helps in their recovery.”

In her case, Kim’s son was granted the wish of a family holiday to Fiji, which helped the family recover after his cancer treatment.

Kim says it was just what they needed, and if it wasn’t for Make-A-Wish, their world would have fallen apart. Happily, her son has overcome his cancer and is a healthy adult today.

Kim knew from the start that when she was back on her feet, she would give back to Make-A-Wish and help make a difference to other families trying to cope with the illness of a child.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. Make-A-Wish Australia will use its grant to fund one or more of the nine wishes on which the South Sydney branch is working.

“The grant will help ensure these special children have the joy, hope, strength and happiness that a wish can bring them,” Kim says.

__For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here. __