A dream has come true for a boy who has been through a lot over the past year.
Brendan and Alexandra are living the dream, but it almost takes a tragic turn after Brendan finishes fourth grade when his parents realize something is wrong.
“We just noticed that he was having an unexplained fever, here and there,” Brendan’s father, Derek Ma, said. “We took him to several doctors.”
It was a rare form of leukemia, and it was very aggressive. Things started going downhill quickly.
“We’re shocked and scared, you know, as you can imagine anyone in that situation, but we said our prayers,” Ma said.
Eventually, those prayers were answered when doctors found a bone marrow donor, none other than Brendan’s mother. She also communicated with Disney and the Make-A-Wish FoundationHopefully her son will survive to see his YouTube hero Mark Robert. She said Roper’s science videos became inspirational during long and uncomfortable hospital stays.
“My friend told me about it, and I should start checking it out,” Brendan said. “Then I got hooked.”
“And you know, it was really important, especially throughout the last year when he had his ups and downs,” said Brendan’s mother, Jacqueline Tse. “To keep your eye on the prize, Brendan, you’ve got to get better.”
“Once Make-A-Wish sent me the content of the reveal, then I sent it in,” Tse said. “I had Brendan and Alexandra watch the reveal and I think they were in disbelief.”
Brendan went with his family to Disneyland where his wish to meet Robert came true.
Brendan loves swimming, pickleball, and video games and is thriving again.
“My parents helped me the most by supporting me,” Brendan said. “I’m happy that I can talk to my friends again and go to the movies with them.”
“We are grateful every day,” Tse said. “We no longer take a day for granted. Our perspective on life, the future – everything has changed.”
Disney’s wish is fulfilled every hour of every day.
Throughout Disney Wish Week, the entire company will join Make-A-Wish to grant life-changing wishes to children battling serious illnesses in ways only Disney can.
Since the first official wish was granted at Disneyland 45 years ago, Disney has worked with Make-A-Wish to grant more than 170,000 life-changing wishes around the world.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All rights reserved.