A six-year-old cancer survivor from Edmonton had her dream come true last week: a backstage meet-and-greet with Canadian popstar Justin Bieber.
Emily Nanooch was diagnosed with Wilmsâ Tumour, a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children, three years ago. After a tough year of chemotherapy and radiation, Emily has been cancer-free for the past two years.
Her original wish with Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta was a trip to Walt Disney World â until she found out Bieber was in town June 14.
âWe changed (our wish) when we found out that Justin was coming to Edmonton,â Emilyâs mom Liane Nanooch told CTV Edmonton.
Emily not only took a limo to the sold-out concert at Rexall Place, but also went backstage to meet the popstar, who took photos with her, gave her hugs and signed merchandise.
For Emily, it was a dream come true to meet her idol, whose music helped get her through some difficult treatments. She also got the chance to ask him an important question: âWhatâs your favourite colour?â
She was delighted to find out they both share the same preference for purple.
âWe love them so much for doing that,â Liane said of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The popstar tweeted about his meeting with Emily on Saturday, saying âshe made my wish,â along with a few photos of them. Itâs since been retweeted more than 40,800 times and liked by more than 71,000 users.
She made my wish
â Justin Bieber (@justinbieber)
Emily, 6, Wilms Tumour, wished to meet ! It was all she hoped it would be!
â Make-A-Wish North AB (@MakeAWishNAB)
Bieber is a long-time supporter of the charity, having granted more than 200 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions, according to the foundation.
âThe feeling of being able to grant a wish to a child when theyâre really sick and they need it the most â itâs just the most wonderful feeling in the world,â Sophia Birchall with Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta told ŰÎŰ´ŤĂ˝. âJust to have that one day of happiness for them is, you know, more than anyone can ever ask for.â
With a report from CTV Edmonton's Breanna Karstens-Smith