Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 April 2024: Annabelle van Wyk is a ten-year-old inspiration who has been living with leukaemia since she was three-and-half-years old. Her world of princesses, ballet and magic, came true thanks to Reach For a Dream and today, she is in medical remission – an incredible milestone for a little girl who is now nearly a teenager good at gymnastics, swimming and running.
Annabelle was three when she first was diagnosed with leukaemia and went through several years of treatment to overcome the disease. As her mother, Karen Bock says: “It is overwhelming seeing my daughter living her life, full of health. I lost my sister to this illness when we were both children – I grew up with the disease so when I started noticing something was not right with Annabelle, I took her straight to the doctor.”
At first, the doctor said Annabelle was fine, but Karen listened to her intuition – she suspected leukaemia and she set up a second appointment. Three days later the diagnosis was confirmed. It was her mother’s awareness of the disease that got Annabelle the treatment she needed.
“We took Annebelle’s journey to where she is today day by day. We had hope,” says Karen. “I think we all have a little box of extra strength hidden away until we need it, and it comes out and gives us what we need in times of crisis.”
While Annabelle was undergoing treatment, Reach For A Dream stepped in to make her dream of spending the day with Princess Sofia come true. She was whisked off to a castle, met a real-life Princess Sofia, and enjoyed a day with other volunteers dressed up as princesses. The event included a tea party fit for a princess filled with Princess Sofia treats such as cakesicles, cupcakes and quiches and the phenomenal entertainment was provided by Ali who arrived to do a special magic show. The best part was that she could take all her Princess Sofia goodies home with her.
After being amazed by Princess Sofia, learning to curtsy, having an incredible tea party and enjoying plenty of presents, Annabelle wants the joy she felt from Reach For A Dream to be felt by other children. This inspired her to create a colouring book filled with cute pictures and inspirational messages.
“When I was sick, I had an iPad or my mom’s phone to keep me busy but other people didn’t have enough money or own any of these things so me and my friends decided we were going to draw them some pictures to keep them busy,” explains Annabelle. “It was my friends from school and the friends I made while in the hospital. We wanted other children to feel like they’re not alone, that there are other children who went through it.”
“Reach For A Dream is so close to my heart and I really wanted to do something that made a difference as well,” concludes Annabelle.
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