Helping Kids Feel Better Through Wish Experiences

It’s taken less than 35 years for Make-A-Wish^® to become one of the most-recognized charities in the world. From our first official wish in 1980 to today, we’ve grown to serve every U.S. community, plus nearly 50 countries on five continents. Here’s a closer look at what Make-A-Wish does to make lasting, positive change in the lives of kids with life-threatening medical conditions.

Why Make-A-Wish Exists

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. We believe a Make-A-Wish experience can help kids feel better – and maybe even get better. We’ve heard from parents, medical professionals and wish kids how wishes have changed the lives of everyone involved. Wish experiences have altered wish kids’ career paths, and many have gone on to become deeply involved in philanthropy, medicine and other important careers.

How Make-A-Wish Makes the World Better

When a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition, it turns a family’s life completely upside down. Everything they do is focused on just helping the child survive. This causes enormous stress. A Make-A-Wish experience gives kids and their families something positive to anticipate. Many wish kids and their parents tell us that it helps them feel normal again. Just the anticipation of a wish encourages kids to stay strong through their medical treatments, which can have a beneficial effect on their health.

How Any Person Can Help

There are three ways any person can help us: Donating, volunteering or referring a child for a wish. There are numerous donation and volunteer options to fit every person’s resources, abilities and schedules.

Referring a child is also a profound way to help; we don’t actively solicit potential wish kids because respecting their privacy is important to us. Instead, we rely on potential wish kids, medical professionals, legal guardians and family members with knowledge of the child’s current medical condition to start the referral process. It takes just moments to fill out an online inquiry form … but it can launch an experience that could be a game-changer in a child’s battle against a serious illness.

How We Make the Most of Your Generosity

More than 75 percent of every donated dollar is devoted to wish-granting activities. This exceeds the level set by prominent charity evaluators – and it’s a measurement that instills confidence in our supporters. They know that their donations make a true impact on children facing a challenge few of us can imagine. 

Our thanks to Make-A-Wish^® for helping us learn more about their work! Click here to connect with them and learn more about their impact.

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