Sophie, 9, B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

“The day I get to hold Corny Ketchy in my own hands, I’ll feel proud of myself!”

Nine-year-old Sophie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia—one of the most common childhood cancers in Hong Kong. During chemotherapy, she suffered from side effects of the medication, including low spirits and increased appetite. Ironically, many of the foods she craved were off-limits, including her favorite: corn dogs.

Passionate about drawing, Sophie had a spark of inspiration during treatment and created a character called Corny Ketchy, a plush corn dog, hoping to encourage others—especially children like her battling critical illness—to stay positive and fight bravely. With help from the Wish Team, Sophie’s wish came true, and Corny Ketchy was turned into an adorable plush toy.

Make-A-Wish donated a batch of Corny Ketchy to the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, where staff will distribute them to suitable young patients. On her Wish Day, Sophie was invited to the hospital to share the joy of her wish coming true with the hematology and oncology team who had cared for her.

She introduced the concept behind Corny Ketchy and shared the emotional journey from diagnosis to fulfillment. Sophie said, “It took a whole year to design and produce this wish. It’s been with me since I was diagnosed, making my hospital days less dull for someone who loves drawing.”

She added, “Although having leukaemia isn’t something to be happy about, I was fortunate to receive support from many people—doctors who treated me with care, my parents’ love and companionship, and encouragement from my principal, teachers, and classmates. I hope to pass on this strength to other child patients and encourage them never to give up. This toy is the result of many people’s efforts. Most of all, I want to thank the Make-A-Wish. Without their support, this wish wouldn’t have come true!”

Dr. Pamela Lee, a board member of Make-A-Wish Hong Kong, said, “We’ve seen through Sophie how a wish can transform the life of a sick child. As a doctor, I’ve personally witnessed the change in children before and after their wishes are fulfilled. Sophie is a perfect example—today, she is full of joy and energy, a stark contrast to the bedridden girl she once was. Her positivity has even spread to other young patients and medical staff at the hospital. This wish has also uplifted her entire family, giving them renewed confidence to face the illness and helping them regain a sense of control throughout the journey of making the wish come true.”

Sophie’s mother expressed gratitude to the foundation for helping her daughter realize her wish, which gave her spiritual comfort during the grueling treatment and allowed her to shift focus from illness to creativity. She said, “At first, I was worried whether Sophie would have the energy to pursue her creative wish during treatment. But then I saw her on the hospital bed, holding a paintbrush, sketching Corny Ketchy stroke by stroke, with a satisfied smile on her face. She kept following up on the toy’s production progress and was so excited for its release. When the Wish Team handed her the first prototype, she kept it everywhere she went, even bringing it to the hospital and proudly showing it to her doctors. This wish became her source of strength in fighting the illness.” Sophie’s mother also said she was proud of her daughter for making such a selfless wish.

The Corny Ketchy plush toy includes thoughtful design elements by Sophie. In addition to detachable sausage accessories, she created several interchangeable eye pieces—happy, sad, and angry—so children undergoing treatment can express their emotions to parents or caregivers by swapping the eyes. Sophie hopes that when children feel hungry or down due to medication side effects, hugging the plush toy can help relieve stress.

Sophie also donated Corny Ketchy to her school, Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School, to thank the principal, teachers, and classmates for their unwavering support during her illness.

Acknowledgement: Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School