OUR MISSION
Wishes are more than just a nice thing
A wish experience can be a game-changer for a child with a critical illness.
This one belief guides us in everything we do at Make-A-Wish®. It inspires us to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids we serve. It compels us to be creative in exceeding the expectations of every wish kid. It drives us to make our donated resources go as far as possible.
Most of all, it's the founding principle of our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child.
Wishes are more than just a nice thing. And they are far more than gifts, or singular events in time. Wishes impact everyone involved - wish kids, volunteers, donors, sponsors, medical professionals and communities. The impact varies. For wish kids, just the act of making their wish come true can give them the courage to comply with their medical treatments. Parents might finally feel like they can be optimistic. And still others might realize all they have to offer the world through volunteer work or philanthropy.
Whatever the odds, whatever the obstacles ... wishes find a way to make the world better.
HOW WE GRANT WISHES
Step 1: Referral
We rely on medical professionals, parents and children themselves for referrals. Children who have reached the age of 2½ and are under the age of 18 at the time of referral – and have not received a wish from another wish-granting organization – may be eligible for a wish.
Step 2: Medical Eligibility
We determine a child’s medical eligibility with the help of the treating physician. To receive a wish, the child must be diagnosed with a critical illness (i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy).
Step 3: The Wish
We send one of our enthusiastic wish teams to learn the child’s one true wish. These committed volunteers connect with wish children, awaken their imaginations and help them envision an experience with the power to change lives.
Step 4: Creating Joy
Our wish granters create an unforgettable experience driven by the child’s creativity. They strive to personalize each wish and to make it match the wish kid's idea of a perfect day.
Get Started
To learn more about referring a child who lives in the United States or one of its territories, you may use our Referral Inquiry Form.
To learn more about referring a child residing outside the United States, please contact Make-A-Wish® International. If you are not eligible to refer a child, please ask the child's family to visit our website or international affiliate.
