Aria MacDonald

A four-year-old girl from Manurewa who has been suffering from a rare bowel condition could be heading to Disneyworld, thanks to an international charity.

Make-a-Wish International is currently arranging to take Aria MacDonald and her family to Florida, after she underwent a lifesaving bowel and kidney transplant in May.

“Any child who has a life threatening condition is eligible for a wish,” says Scott Simpson, CEO of Make-a-Wish New Zealand.

“Medical professionals have a pretty strict definition, and it has to be appropriate to the child’s condition.”

The Auckland preschooler has had total Hirschprung’s disease since birth, a rare condition of the bowel. Without having a $3 million dollar transplant in the United States, she only had months to live before dying of liver failure.

After the family secured the funding, they travelled to Nebraska last Christmas for the operation.

Aria’s Mother, Anita MacDonald, says Aria was referred to the Make-a-Wish foundation by the hospital play specialists.

The family vacation is likely to include SeaWorld, Universal studios, Disneyworld, and staying in the Give Kids the World Village.

Mr Simpson says this should be a good trip for Aria, “what an experience.”

Aria fought for her life after her first transplant in February. However, the new intestine failed, causing a frightening few months while being relisted on the organ transplant list.

Mrs MacDonald wrote on her blog that: “We wonder how long she can go on like this for. We could ask the doctors, but probably don’t want to hear the answer. But at some point we must because if organs don’t come we can’t do this alone.”

On Mother’s Day, her second transplant was a success – and Aria is now back at home with her family. Her parents are currently sorting out the paperwork with Make-a-Wish for the trip to Disneyworld.

“We don’t have a date yet,” says Mrs MacDonald.

“It won’t be this year. Aria needs to recover more physically and get settled into home life first. Also, the doctors have to give medical clearance for her to fly.”

“They are an amazing organisation and we are very privileged to have Aria’s wish granted in the US.”

For further information, visit aria.org.nz