When a child is battling a critical illness, a single wish can become a powerful source of strength, hope, and healing. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has spent nearly five decades turning these hopes into reality for families navigating unimaginable circumstances. Recently, a remarkable collaboration between Disney, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and beloved YouTube creator Mark Rober came together to create a moment that one young leukemia survivor and his family will treasure forever. This is the story of Brendan, a boy whose love for science videos helped him endure the darkest days of treatment , and how a dream finally came true at the most magical place on earth.
A Sudden Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Life was moving along smoothly for the Ma family. Brendan had just completed the fourth grade, and his parents, Deric and Jacqueline, were looking forward to summer plans and the everyday joys of raising a young, active boy. But then the warning signs began to appear.
“He started having these unexplained fevers that would come and go,” his father Deric recalled. “We took him to doctor after doctor, trying to figure out what was happening.”
After numerous medical visits, the family received devastating news: Brendan was battling a particularly aggressive and rare form of leukemia. The diagnosis sent shockwaves through the family, plunging them into a world of hospitals, treatments, and uncertainty.
“We were terrified,” his mother Jacqueline Tse admitted. “As any parent in that position would be, we were shocked and scared. But we leaned on our faith, our family, and the hope that things would get better.”
The Power of Hope During Treatment
Brendan’s battle was far from easy. The treatments were grueling, the hospital stays were exhausting, and the emotional toll on the entire family was immense. During those long, uncomfortable days confined to hospital rooms, Brendan discovered a source of joy and inspiration that would carry him through: the science-experiment videos of Mark Rober.
“My friend told me about him and said I should check him out,” Brendan explained. “Once I started watching, I was hooked.”
For a young boy fascinated by how the world works, Rober’s engaging blend of engineering marvels, wild experiments, and creative problem-solving provided the perfect escape. His content offered more than entertainment , it gave Brendan something to look forward to and a reason to keep pushing through.
“It was incredibly important, especially during the ups and downs of last year,” Jacqueline noted. “I kept telling him, ‘Brendan, you have to keep your eye on the prize. You have to get better.’ Those videos gave him something to smile about.”
A Mother’s Lifesaving Gift
Behind every child who beats cancer, there is often a team of medical heroes and family members who refuse to give up. For Brendan, his greatest champion turned out to be the person closest to him , his mother.
When doctors searched for a bone marrow donor, they found a perfect match: Jacqueline herself. Without hesitation, she stepped forward to give her son the ultimate gift , a second chance at life.
The successful procedure marked a turning point in Brendan’s journey. Slowly, the fevers stopped. Slowly, the energy returned. And slowly, the family began to imagine a future they had once been afraid to consider.
Planning the Ultimate Surprise
Even before Brendan’s recovery was certain, Jacqueline had already begun planning something special. Knowing how much her son idolized Mark Rober, she reached out to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, hoping to create a moment that would mean everything to him.
The collaboration that followed was nothing short of magical. Disney, Make-A-Wish, and Mark Rober joined forces to craft a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Brendan and his sister, Alexandra.
“When Make-A-Wish sent me the reveal content, that’s when I shared it with the kids,” Jacqueline said. “I think they were in complete disbelief.”
The Magical Day at Disneyland
The big day finally came when the entire family traveled to Disneyland, where the magic of Disney combined with the genius of Mark Rober to create an unforgettable experience. For Brendan, stepping into the park wasn’t just another visit , it was the fulfillment of a wish he had held close during the hardest moments of his treatment.
Meeting Mark Rober face-to-face was everything Brendan had dreamed of and more. The two connected over their shared love of science, creativity, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. For a boy who had spent months in hospital rooms watching videos on a screen, the opportunity to meet his hero in person was transformative.
Disneyland provided the perfect backdrop for this reunion of dreams and reality. With its iconic settings, joyful atmosphere, and unparalleled ability to bring stories to life, the park created an environment where Brendan’s wish could truly come alive in ways only Disney could deliver.
Why Disney and Make-A-Wish Are a Perfect Partnership
The partnership between Disney and Make-A-Wish is one of the most enduring and meaningful collaborations in the nonprofit sector. It all began 45 years ago at Disneyland, when the very first official wish was granted. Since that historic moment, Disney has worked alongside the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant more than 170,000 life-changing wishes to children facing critical illnesses around the globe.
To put that into perspective, a Disney wish is granted every hour of every single day. That level of consistency and commitment reflects Disney’s deep dedication to bringing magic to children who need it most. During Disney’s annual Week of Wishes, the entire company unites with Make-A-Wish to create extraordinary experiences that go far beyond ordinary wishes.
- Disney’s Week of Wishes mobilizes the entire organization to grant wishes in uniquely Disney ways.
- More than 170,000 wishes have been granted since the partnership began 45 years ago.
- A Disney wish is granted every hour, every day, somewhere in the world.
- The collaboration leverages Disney’s storytelling power to bring comfort and joy to critically ill children.
Brendan’s Bright Future
Today, Brendan is thriving. The boy who once faced fevers, hospital rooms, and uncertainty now enjoys the simple pleasures of being a kid again. He loves swimming, pickleball, and video games , activities that once seemed distant during his treatment are now part of his daily life.
“My parents helped me the most by supporting me,” Brendan shared with a grateful smile. “I’m just glad I can talk to my friends again and go to the movies with them.”
His mother’s perspective has also been forever changed by the journey. The experience transformed how the entire family views each day, each moment, and each milestone.
“Every single day, we are grateful,” Jacqueline reflected. “We don’t take a single day for granted anymore. Our perspective on life, on the future , everything has changed.”
The Lasting Impact of a Granted Wish
The story of Brendan, Disney, Make-A-Wish, and Mark Rober demonstrates something powerful: a granted wish isn’t simply a fleeting moment of joy. It’s a source of strength during treatment, a beacon of hope during uncertainty, and a memory that lasts a lifetime.
Research has shown that wish experiences can have a profound impact on the emotional and psychological well-being of children with critical illnesses. They provide:
- A renewed sense of hope and optimism during difficult treatments.
- Strength and courage to endure medical procedures and hospital stays.
- Joyful memories that families carry with them long after the wish is granted.
- A powerful reminder that they are more than their illness , they are dreamers, creators, and beloved individuals.
How You Can Support Make-A-Wish
Stories like Brendan’s remind us that small acts of kindness and generous support can transform lives. The Make-A-Wish Foundation relies on donations, volunteers, and partnerships to continue its life-changing mission. Whether you choose to donate, volunteer your time, or simply spread awareness about the cause, every contribution helps bring hope to families when they need it most.
Disney continues to be one of Make-A-Wish’s most dedicated partners, but the foundation’s reach extends far beyond any single corporation. Communities around the world come together to make wishes come true, proving that the power to change a child’s life is something we all share.
The Ripple Effect of One Wish
When Make-A-Wish grants a child’s dream, the impact ripples outward in unexpected ways. Families are lifted. Communities are inspired. And children like Brendan are reminded that their dreams matter, their stories matter, and their futures are bright.
The collaboration between Disney, Make-A-Wish, and creators like Mark Rober shows what’s possible when organizations and individuals unite around the simple but powerful idea that every child deserves a reason to hope.
Conclusion
The story of Brendan, his family, and the dream that came true at Disneyland is more than just a feel-good moment , it’s a testament to the extraordinary power of hope, love, and community. From his mother’s courageous bone marrow donation to the dedication of his medical team to the unforgettable collaboration between Disney, Make-A-Wish, and Mark Rober, this journey was built on the belief that no child should have to face critical illness alone.
As Disney continues its Week of Wishes and Make-A-Wish moves forward with its mission to grant life-changing wishes to every eligible child, stories like Brendan’s serve as a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Every wish granted represents not just a moment of joy, but a declaration that dreams still have power, hope still has meaning, and kindness still changes lives , one wish at a time.