Hingham Resident gets Wish Thanks to Bristol-Myers Squibb

For Hingham resident Tony Achille, 16, a diagnosis of hodgkin's lymphoma meant he would have to put on a brave face and undergo treatment.

And now, thanks to Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Bristol-Myers Squibb, Tony’s wish to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Western Caribbean has come true. Bristol-Myers Squibb’s generous support of Make-A-Wish® over the last two years has paved the way for wishes to come true for kids all across the country battling childhood cancer.

For Tony, the company’s wish support helped change his outlook on life. Now that Tony is back home after his cruise, he and his family have not been able to stop talking about the fun adventures they had while in the Caribbean.

Some of the things Tony was able to do during this memorable experience included surfing, snorkeling, indoor rock climbing, and other fun-filled activities.

Kelly Achille, Tony’s mother, said that there has been a noticeable difference in Tony ever since he learned that his wish was going to come true.

“We were so happy to see the positive impact of Tony’s wish through the entire process,” said Tony’s mother Kelly Achille. “It was his guiding light during treatment and a positive reward when he reached the finish line. I know the entire family will now have fond memories that last a lifetime.”

Earlier this year, Bristol-Myers Squibb made a $1.26 million donation to Make-A-Wish to help grant wishes for kids battling childhood cancer. Over the past two years, Bristol-Myers Squibb has donated more than $2.5 million to Make-A-Wish.

“Bristol-Myers Squibb’s generosity allows us to grant even more transformational wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Without them, some children might not experience the power a wish has, which can give them the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness,” said Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island CEO, Charlotte Beattie. “When our kids learn that their wish has been granted, it’s like an electric charge has sparked within them. Many times, their physicians and care providers see a noticeable change in their behavior and progress just knowing that their wish has been granted and that they’re about to embark on an unforgettable experience that they’ll remember forever.”

To learn more about Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, visit www.massri.wish.org.