Wishing Well Wishing Well Winter Edition 2014 | Page 3

YOU MADE CAPTAIN SAMUEL’S WISH A FLYING SUCCESS
“Once he started talking about being a pilot, it was like he went, ‘I am going to grow up one day’.”
When six year-old Samuel, who has Wilms’ tumour,
wished to be a “plane driver”, he couldn’t have known
quite how spectacular his wish would turn out to be.
Samuel’s wish began weeks earlier, when Qantas
pilots and staff made a special trip to his school for a
“recruitment drive” and handpicked Samuel as their
newest – and littlest – pilot. Samuel was given his very
own, tailor-made pilot’s uniform and his classmates
burst into spontaneous applause. After all, this little boy
had endured more chemotherapy, radiotherapy and
major s urgeries than anyone should have to bear.
According to Samuel’s mum, Katie, knowing the wish was
coming had a huge impact on Samuel, helping to give
him the strength he needed to get through his illness.
“There was a time in treatment when he kept talking
about, what if he doesn’t get better, and that was really
heartbreaking,” Katie said.
“But once he started talking about being a pilot, it was
like he went, ‘I am going to grow up one day’.”
The day of Samuel’s wish arrived at last. Excited crowds
and film crews awaited him as he arrived in Sydney with
his family, and it was clear from the smile on Samuel’s
face: he was loving every second.

First, Samuel underwent pilot training and was presented
with his very own Qantas pilot wings. Then came the
main event: he got to fly a Boeing 767 in a simulated
flight to Hawaii! After doing a stellar job as captain,
a superhero-themed welcome party awaited him.
The smile still as broad as ever, Samuel had the time of
his life until the day’s end.
A huge online crowd followed Samuel’s wish on social
media, and thousands more watched his story on the
Today show the next day. Samuel’s wish captured hearts
everywhere, including at Qantas, who helped to make
his day as a pilot one he will never forget.
Thanks to help from you and businesses like Qantas,
Samuel’s wish brought him and his family the joy they
so badly needed.


 The wish experience reminded me of the good
“
parts of life, of fun times. It was a wonderful
experience for all of us. That something so good
happened for our family after going through
so much ‘bad’, it really gives you hope that
more good will happen in the future.”
– Katie, Samuel’s mum.