Bank DBS Indonesia, together with the DBS Foundation and Make-A-Wish Indonesia, organized a Wish Day event for Hanna, a four-year-old girl living with thalassemia. The event, themed after the animated film Frozen, aimed to bring hope and happiness to children with critical illnesses. This marks the first collaboration between Bank DBS Indonesia and Make-A-Wish Indonesia.
“Today, Hanna showed us the crucial role the power of inspiration plays in every step of her journey. Seeing Hanna’s smile and enthusiasm today reminds us that every little moment can bring about big changes for children with critical illnesses. We are motivated to give children like Hanna an experience that inspires hope, not only to bring momentary happiness but also to cultivate hope and enthusiasm for the future, in accordance with Bank DBS Indonesia’s vision to create a positive impact beyond banking activities or Impact Beyond Banking,” said Mona Monika, Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications at PT Bank DBS Indonesia.
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that causes severe anemia and requires ongoing treatment. In Indonesia, it is estimated that 6-10 percent of the population are carriers of thalassemia, amounting to approximately 2.5-5 million people. According to the World Health Organisation, 5 percent of the global population carries thalassemia genes, with 300-400 thousand babies born each year worldwide with severe forms of the disease.
Wish Day included ice skating sessions led by professional instructors dressed as Elsa from Frozen and gift-opening activities related to the movie’s theme. Employees from Bank DBS Indonesia participated through its People of Purpose (PoP) volunteer program.
Research conducted by Make-A-Wish International found that granting wishes helps both critically ill children and their families by providing relief from illness-related challenges. Ninety percent of parents reported that fulfilling their child’s wish brought distraction and relief; ninety-two percent of children whose wishes were granted saw an improvement in well-being; and ninety percent felt more hopeful about their future.
The initiative is part of a broader partnership between Bank DBS Indonesia and Make-A-Wish Indonesia focused on delivering meaningful experiences for critically ill children through programs such as Adopt-A-Wish—a workshop designed to train employees in supporting these efforts internally.
Mona Monika from PT Bank DBS Indonesia and Yani Sinulingga from Make-A-Wish Indonesia attended Hanna’s Wish Day event in Jakarta on August 21, 2025. Figure skater Nicole Inara contributed by recreating elements from Frozen during the event.
Bank DBS Indonesia operates as part of Singapore-based DBS Group Holdings Ltd., which has been recognized internationally for its banking services across Asia (https://www.dbs.com/). The bank maintains a network across major Indonesian cities and emphasizes community engagement alongside customer service. The institution is licensed by The Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) and is insured by the Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS).
DBS Foundation was established in 2014 with aims including support for underprivileged communities through financial literacy programs and social enterprise development https://www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation. In 2024, DBS pledged up to SGD 1 billion over ten years toward supporting vulnerable groups as well as committing significant employee volunteer hours.
The collaborative Wish Day reflects Bank DBS Indonesia’s commitment to positive community impact beyond traditional banking activities.
