NEW HAVEN--A 9-year-old boy in New Haven who is battling Leukemia had his wish granted on Monday night, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Habib Hadi selflessly asked for furniture for his family’s apartment.
Habib, his four siblings and their parents escaped from Afghanistan after being threatened by the Taliban. Since coming to the United States, the family has been living with virtually no furniture and only three beds.
Make-A-Wish, along with Bob’s Discount Furniture, gifted the family with couches, tables and virtually anything they needed to furnish their apartment.
“We gave rugs and lamps and we literally just said, ‘Go into the store and select what you would like,’” said Cathy Poulin, public relations director of Bob’s Discount Furniture.
“He chose to give a gift that his family would be able to enjoy for a long time, so we were able to reach out to our friends at Bob’s Discount Furniture and ask them to join us as partners in his wish,” said Tara Navara, chief development officer at Make-A-Wish Connecticut.
Habib is currently receiving treatment at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital after failed treatments in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since receiving a bone marrow transplant from his younger sister in August 2014, his health has shown significant improvement.
“Since he got the bone marrow transplant, now he’s like 150 percent,” said Mohmmad Hadi, Habib’s dad. “He’s doing very well. He’s good now.”
Hadi says he is thankful for the support from Make-A-Wish and Bob’s Discount Furniture, as well as the life-saving treatments Habib received at Yale-New Haven.
“Everyone has a dream in their life,” said Hadi. “My dream was to have a good treatment for Habib.”
Make-A-Wish said it will also be purchasing a crib for the family’s sixth child due in January, toys, a fish tank and several video games to go with a brand New Xbox console.