After contacting Sarah via e-mail, she graciously agreed to write an account of her amazing night out with Brett Lee for this site. Thank you so much, Sarah, for sharing your momentous experience with all of Brett's fans worldwide. You are an absolute inspiration and we wish you all the best in your recovery.
A lot of kids of my age will start to experience a strange sensation of how to reach certain goals in their life. Most of them are more likely to be dreams that can never be realised simply because of the time, money and the right opportunity to arise at the right time. I, myself, am passing through that stage, and guess what? Some of my dreams are coming true and I am realising that miracles really do happen.
Yes I have to admit that I am paying a high price for them, not with money but with my health. For those who didn’t see or read the paper I am sick with a type of cancer, Leukaemia. It doesn’t stop me from enjoying life to the fullest - just makes me stronger and thank God and be happy for what I have. In a few months time I will be going to hospital for a bone marrow transplant, hopefully to be fully recovered from this illness and live a healthy life.
But the good news is, God created people with golden hearts, who find that their strength and their ambition is in helping kids like me. And, by grouping themselves in organizations, they make some of these kids' dreams come true. Organizations like The Make A Wish Foundation, Challenge, and many others make people’s hearts flow with generosity.
One morning in February, a lady from The Make A Wish Foundation rang me and asked if I’m a supporter of cricket. I told her the honest truth, I wasn’t much of a supporter but I understood it. After I told her that, she asked me if I know Brett Lee. I said, “ Of course he's the gorgeous blonde on the cricket team.” She laughed and continued, "Well he has asked us to find a girl to be his date for the Allan Border Medal and we figured that you and him had so much in common with music and everything that you would be perfect for this." I was in shock. I was screaming. I never imagined for myself to meet a celebrity and walk the red carpet with him. She updated me and told me all the information. The last thing she said was, “On Thursday you will meet him and get to know each other so you know him well on the night.”
When that Thursday came I wasn’t shy or nervous but excited and cheerful. I met him at the hotel he was staying at, Quay West and waited in the lobby for him to arrive. I was the first to spot him. He looked so tall, gorgeous and the smile he gave me was the best of all. He gave me a hug and we talked for a bit. He asked me if I was nervous and I responded, “No just very excited.” Then the photographer and the journalist arrived. The journalist asked me a few questions and after that we went near the Yarra River to take photos.
Brett Lee is a great guy to talk to. You feel very comfortable around him. As we took the photos he would look up and smile. It was the best feeling. I felt very special. Then the photographer and the journalist left, letting me know that my article was going to be on the front page. I was very excited. The day ended with Brett Lee, my mum and myself sitting in the lobby, drinking lemonade and having a chat about the night. We had a laugh and let each other know we were very excited about the night. One thing that really touched me was that he told me I was going to be fine with my illness and I just have to think positive. I was thankful to have heard that from his mouth and to have a person around who is so sure about my health.
That photo on the front page touched a lot of people's hearts because the next day I got a call from The Make A Wish Foundation asking if they could give my home number to a lady who wanted to help. I accepted and soon after I received a call from a beautiful lady, Rachael, who worked at a shop, Body Art, and organized everything for the Allan Border Medal. Shops around her work also wanted to help out too. They provided jewellery, a handbag, shoes, a dress, and Rachael was a make-up artist and was going to do my make-up for the night. It was just so beautiful to see how much people really care and I thank her to this day because I wouldn’t have looked as beautiful as I did if it weren’t for Rachael and all the other generous people.
On the morning of the special day, I went to choose my dress, jewellery, bag and shoes with Rachael. Straight after, she began to do my make-up. I was so happy with the way it turned out. Then I went and got my hair done and that turned out great too. As time went by I was getting more and more excited.
Just in case you didn’t know, The Make A Wish Foundation also organised for my family and I to have a night at Crown. So when we were packed and ready we headed off to Crown. When we arrived we waited to meet a lady from The Make A Wish Foundation, Adrianne. We all walked to Brett Lee’s hotel and waited for him to arrive. After 15 minutes he arrived in his interesting suit. It was one from his own designer label, Brett Lee. It had threads all over the suit looking like it was inside out. It was interesting and he liked to be different and I liked that myself. He loved my dress and made me feel very beautiful. Then my family left and I met all the cricket players. Gillespie is so tall but very friendly. Then our car arrived to take us to Crown. We were in the car with Ricky Ponting and his wife. They spoke to me, and Ricky was very nice.
When we arrived we had to stay in a room and got arranged into order of couples. Then we got lead to the red carpet and can you believe it, Brett Lee held my hand. They took so many photos and we had a great time. Then we got lead backstage of the Palladium, and we were called to the stage and got shown to our seats. As we walked on stage there was so much applause. It was so fun.
As I got to my seat, Brett Lee pulled the seat out for me. We got to know each other a lot. We spoke about our hobbies and he signed my autograph book and so did most of the cricketers but Brett Lee’s message touched me the most. He wrote how I’m an inspiration for being so positive and still smiling no matter how down I am. At the end he wrote, ‘Mates Forever.’ I found it so sweet.
At 9:30 I had to meet my parents outside the Palladium because The Make A Wish Foundation thought I would get bored but I wasn’t at all. But I did as I was told. Straight after Shannon Noll finished singing I had to go and Brett Lee walked me out. I hugged him and said, “Thankyou so much for this experience.” He said, “It was my pleasure.” He took my mobile number and promised me we would keep in touch. He said I was his lucky charm and it made me so happy. I thought that if I was his good luck charm I should wish him luck for his Sri Lanka tour.
It’s been 3 months since that day and he’s still always in my thoughts. He’s a great guy and he is my hero. I didn’t hear from him in all that time, until yesterday, 6th of April 2004. He rang my mobile. I was so happy. He told me his ankle is fine and in two months time he will start cricket again. I said, “You said I was your good luck charm but it seems I’m your bad luck charm because you got injured. He said, “You silly girl, you are my hero, you brought me this miracle of recovering.” I was in tears. I told him he was my hero and he said, “You are mine.”
From that day, I realised miracles do happen because Brett Lee is mine. He’s so positive and makes me a positive person too and that’s how I think he has fought all his tough times. He gives me hope and courage and I really love him. I know that that dream has past but it hasn’t left me because Brett Lee has changed me. He made me realise that no matter how tough life gets, never give up and that’s how I think each day and that’s why I know I will fight this disease. So thankyou Brett Lee for everything, you really are an inspiration.
This story and accompanying photographs are used with permission from Sarah Genuis. Please do not take anything here without the prior consent of the webmistress.
