“I wish….”
Those two words from a child with a life-threatening illness, such as cancer or meningococcal meningitis, can spur numerous people into action to try to make his or her dream come true.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children from age 2½ through 17 in the United States through Make-A-Wish America and in other countries through Make-A-Wish International.
Since its founding in 1980, the organization has granted the wishes of more than 350,000 children. It has arranged for kids to meet their favorite celebrities, sports figures, and heroes; has sent kids on fully paid trips to beaches, theme parks, and other attractions; has given kids tree houses, computers, and the like; and has fulfilled kids’ dreams of being a superhero, police officer, chef, or another role for a day.
Still, Make-A-Wish is not just about giving kids that one special wish; it’s about helping them get a part of their lives back to help them regroup to fight their illnesses. It’s about giving them hope for a brighter future.
For more information about fulfilling your child’s wish or supporting the wish-giving process, visit wish.org and worldwish.org.
