 Maddie B
Hamilton, ON
Sep 15, 2009
The Girl Who Gave Her Wish Away
Hamilton, Ontario native Maddie Babineau lost her battle with bone cancer in May 2007. Only 15-years-old when she died, Maddie used her final days to help children half way around the world. She became known as the girl who gave her wish away when she opted to use a wish, granted by The Children’s Wish Foundation, to give students in Kenya a badly needed school. With the school complete, Maddie was heartbroken to learn that many children could not attend class because they had to spend hours fetching water for their families. She raised money from her hospital bed to have a well built by selling jewelry, but passed away before realizing her dream of seeing the well completed.
Here is her story:
When Maddison was born her father was dying of ALS. She helped care for him; feeding, fetching and most importantly making him laugh. When he was voiceless, she made his eyes smile. She also helped with her little brother while bravely managing her own childhood. At age 6 her Dad died.At age 12 Maddison was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma. She underwent 11 months of chemotherapy, surgery and weeks of daily radiation.
A highlight in the midst of this extremely difficult time - Maddison was given a wish from the Children’s Wish Foundation - anything she wanted. Maddison said no thanks to a Disney cruise for herself, her brother Derek and her mom, Sharon. No thanks to the $5,000 shopping spree. No thanks to the giant plasma screen TV. Maddie wanted to make a wish with meaning, one that would last. Maddison became aware of the plight of children in Africa who lived in severe poverty when she watched TV during her frequent hospital stays. She then decided to use her wish to make a difference and build a school there.
When Maddison was 15, the cancer returned . While undergoing chemotherapy again, a stem cell transplant at Sick Kids, and surgery, Maddie decided on another project. She started buying on eBay and then selling jewelry out of her hospital bed to raise additional money for a well to go with her school in Africa. She did this under the most incredible conditions, her treatment was so harsh she endured 80 days without eating or drinking. Incredibly during this time she worried about others and used her precious energy to help and inspire others. Maddison created “the MAD project” an acronym for making a difference -- and the first letters of her name.
One hundred percent of the profit from the sales of the jewelry will go to Free the Children a not for profit organization of children helping children. Through them Maddie’s wish will become a reality. Devastated with the news that the cancer has returned for the third time, Maddie courageously upped her goal to build a whole village in Africa. Support has been incredible around the world and tens of thousands has now been raised.
Maddie lost her battle with cancer in May 2007, but you can help keep the momentum that her wish inspired to grow.
Sharon Babineau (Maddie’s mom) is available to speak at schools. Find out more by visiting:
www.mindbreak.ca or www.maddieswishproject.com
Sharon Babineau is joined in her effort by Souris, PEI’s Tara Stewart. A public school teacher, Tara applied to be on No Opportunity Wasted to put her good intentions into action. Giving the little that she does earn to charity, Tara wanted to have a tangible experience she could use to inspire her students in PEI.
“Maddie’s dedication to helping others despite her sickness is inspiring,” says Phil Keoghan, Executive Producer and Creator, “No Opportunity Wasted”. “What Sharon and her co-challenger Tara Stewart experience in Kenya reminds us that no matter who we are, we can make a difference.”
“In Kenya there are young girls Maddie’s age who can now attend school,” says Craig Kielburger, Founder, Free the Children. “She led a life of caring and compassion and her mother Sharon deserved to see first hand what an incredible legacy her daughter leaves in Kenya.”
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