Self-confessed ‘aviation geek’ Mitch, says he still thinks of his Starlight Wish, granted nearly 10 years ago as the ultimate ‘Avgeek’ dream!
Mitch has been fascinated by all things aviation since he was a kid. After finishing school, Mitch completed an IT traineeship while working hard towards attaining his Private Pilot’s License.
Sadly, that was all put on hold when Mitch was diagnosed with brain cancer at 21.
Instead of continuing to pursue his passion for flying, Mitch was in hospital undergoing countless rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
“The hardest part for me was watching everyone else my age doing their thing, be it at university or work. Being an adolescent should be about growing and learning to be an adult, not navigating hospital and chemo appointments,” Mitch said.
Mitch recalls the moment when he found out he’d been granted his Starlight Wish. “I was super stoked; it was an incredible opportunity for me. Beyond excited, is certainly an understatement!”
Thanks to Virgin Australia, Mitch’s Starlight Wish saw him take to the skies in a Virgin Flight Simulator. But Virgin didn’t stop there, also offering Mitch an incredible two-week internship.
“Not only did I get that ‘jump seat’ ride that I asked for initially and a spin on the 777 simulator, but during the internship, I got the opportunity to work across a range of roles from airside to operations, cabin crew and engineering. I lived out the Avgeek dream!”
Mitch said his wish helped reframe his cancer experience.
“Being a wish recipient at age 22 gave me a unique perspective on what Starlight does every day. The wish completely takes you away from your diagnosis and is such a welcome distraction. Afterwards, I could look back and have something positive to come out of such a difficult time.”
Tragically soon after his traineeship, Mitch was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
“Unfortunately, I didn't get that career change into aviation like I’d been planning, but my IT career has kept me going,” he said.
Mitch says he has so many happy memories of Starlight including being part of celebrating milestone events. “I’ll never forget attending Starlight's 30-year anniversary joy flight and seeing the care and attention the Captain Starlights gave all the kids to make that experience incredible. On the bus going back to the terminal, I remember hearing everyone happily singing along whilst one of the Captains belted out a tune on the guitar, not a single person on that bus was thinking about being sick, child and parent alike."
He is so thankful to Starlight supporters and Virgin Australia for the amazing memories he has to this day.
“After that initial cancer battle, my wish experience helped me feel like all the wrongs had been righted and I was ready to choose my own path. I haven't stopped looking out for that career change or other way to keep aviation an ever-present passion in my life. I still always have an eye on the sky!”
