Make a Wish
"We believe that a wish experience can be a game-changer."
Make a Wish is a foundation which gives children diagnosed with life-threatening conditions, their wishes
Founded in 1980
For more than 30 years, the Make a Wish foundation has been giving wishes to kids with a life-threatening medical condition.
Chris Greicius
Chris was diagnosed with leukemia, making it hard for him to breath. He wanted to be a police officer, "to catch bad guys", when he grew up. He died at only seven years, 269 days old. For his funeral, he was given the ceremony of a fallen officer. People all over were inspired by this, and start donating money for a non-profit organization, and by next spring, it was able to make it's first wish.
Every 38 minutes
On average, every 38 minutes, Make A Wish gives a child their wish.
Connor, 2 1/2
Cancer
Wish: To be a firefighterKyle, 6
Spinal muscular atrophy
Wish: To be an Arizona Diamondback
Addison, 6
Scute lymphoblastic leukemia
Wish: To meet a unicorn in the rainforests of Hawaii
How they grant wishes
Step 1
Referral
They rely on medical professionals, parents, and children themselves for referrals. Kids must be above the age of 2 1/2 and younger than 18 to be eligible for a wish. They can not get a wish from Make a Wish, if they have already received a wish from another wish granting organization.
Step 2
Medical Eligibility
Make A Wish uses the help of the child's doctor. To actually get the wish, the kid must be diagnosed with a life-threatening condition.Step 3
The Wish
The foundation will send one of their wish teams to learn what the child's one true wish is. They connect with the children, awaken their imaginations, and help them envision the actual experience.
Step 4
Creating Joy
The team starts giving the child the wish. They work hard to make it an unforgettable experience.
Shelby's Wish to be in a commercial (2004 Make-A-Wish Foundation® PSA)