Teen cancer patient fulfills a dream

A teen battling a rare form of leukaemia had her wish granted today - meeting her favourite football team.

The sun was out in Wellington as 16-year-old Rhiannon Nottage spent the afternoon kicking a soccer ball around with the Wellington Phoenix during their training session at Newtown Park this afternoon.

Rhiannon, an avid footballer, hasn't let cancer slow her down. She said it was amazing to spend the afternoon with her favourite football team, organised by charity Make-a-Wish New Zealand.

"I really enjoyed the day. The players are amazing and friendly.

"They are a great inspiration to a lot of people."

Rhiannon has a rare form of leukaemia called acute promyelocytic leukaemia - a cancer so rare she didn't know of any other cases in New Zealand.

Although Rhiannon is still battling the disease, she remains upbeat.

"I am really happy that I got taught new things from the cancer.

"It's taught me a lot about self-confidence and not letting other people's opinions get you down," she said.

Last year, Rhiannon had another wish granted -- a dream room makeover, also thanks to Make-a-Wish New Zealand.

"Words can't describe how happy I was. It was unbelievable," she said.

Inspired by her favourite football team, her aim was to play soccer again next year.

But her dream job was to be a police dog handler.

"I want to help the community because they have helped me through so much."

Rhiannon Nottage sharpening her football skills with Phoenix players, Justin Gulley, left, and Blake Powell. Photo / Mark Mitchell, NZ Herald

Mother Michelle Nottage said today was a day her daughter would not forget.

"She actually said to me she wanted to meet the Phoenix a few weeks ago and we got a phone call on Monday. It's very very cool," Ms Nottage said.

Since Rhiannon was diagnosed last year, it had been a tough journey, said Ms Nottage.

She and her daughter spent seven months in Christchurch for Rhiannon to go undergo intensive chemotherapy.

"It was horrendous. It was really hard being away from family and friends and your support network," she said.

Although Rhiannon had "come through some rocky patches", Ms Nottage said she was doing well.

"She does what she needs to do because she doesn't want it to come back."

Make-a-Wish event and community funding coordinator Jordan Milligan said the Phoenix wanted to get involved as they regularly spoke to their youth players about their future after football.

"By getting them involved [with Rhiannon] it was quite cool," he said.

Today's event comes ahead of I Wish I Was Day, which kicks off this Friday.

About 240 groups including schools, early childhood centres and workplaces have signed up for the event, which allows people to dress up as what they want to be when they grow up.

About 20,000 children have signed up for Friday's event.

"A lot of principals we have seen love the idea as it's not just a mufti day, it's a bit more personal. You get to learn about who the kids' heroes are and who they look up to."

North Shore's Glenfield Intermediate had their I Wish I Was Day earlier and the most popular dress-ups were the All Blacks, superheroes and doctors, Mr Milligan said.

"It's great for us to have a day around New Zealand where people can support wishes," Mr Milligan said.

Pupils were encouraged to bring a gold coin donation and some early childhood centres were organising fundraisers.

The funds would go towards granting wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Make-a-Wish will grant 200 wishes this year and aims to grant 400 by 2018.