Dubai Makes Dream Come True For Nine-Year-Old Finnish Girl Battling Cancer With Unforgettable Visit

A nine-year-old Finnish girl named Adele Shestovskaya, who is bravely fighting kidney cancer, had a dream of visiting Dubai. She had always admired the city's stunning skyline and sunny beaches through social media. Her wish was fulfilled under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Upon their arrival at Dubai International Airport, Adele and her family were warmly welcomed by GDRFA officers and Dubai’s travel mascots, ‘Salem’ and ‘Salama’. These mascots are designed to make immigration processes more engaging for young travellers. At the children’s passport control counter, Adele and her family enjoyed stamping their own passports, adding a joyful touch to their journey.

The family stayed at Jumeirah Beach Residence, where they enjoyed the scenic views of Dubai's beaches. Their itinerary included visits to a natural reserve where Adele interacted with wildlife, explored the Museum of the Future's futuristic exhibits, and wandered through The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm. Here, she was surrounded by thousands of marine creatures.

Ensuring Adele's well-being was a priority for Dubai officials. They collaborated with Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital to provide necessary medical arrangements during her stay. This ensured that her healthcare needs were met while she enjoyed her visit.

Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in them by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. He stated, "We are honoured by the trust placed in us by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed in creating a memorable experience for this child and her family." He emphasised Dubai’s commitment to supporting children battling illnesses.

On their last evening in Dubai, Al Marri and his team gathered to bid farewell to Adele and her family. This collective effort involved partners like Dubai Airports, the Museum of the Future, Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital, and Sky VIP Limousine. Al Marri thanked all entities that collaborated with them to ensure an outstanding experience for Adele.

A Family's Heartfelt Appreciation

Adele’s father, Vitaly Shestovsky, expressed deep gratitude for the exceptional hospitality they received. "We have never experienced such warmth and generosity before," he said. He noted that the attention from H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Marri positively impacted Adele’s well-being and their family's emotional state.

Vitaly added that their visit was unforgettable: "Our visit to Dubai has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience." Despite needing to return to Finland for Adele's treatment, he mentioned that his children kept saying they didn’t want to leave Dubai but promised they would return someday.

As they prepared to leave, the family took home more than just souvenirs; they carried memories of a city that opened its doors wide for a young girl's dream week in Dubai.

With inputs from WAM