What Make-A-Wish is for organization

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is the world’s largest nonprofit organization granting wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Since its founding in 1980, it has fulfilled more than 243,000 wishes around the world. Each year, this organization serves nearly 18,000 eligible children by granting their wishes when they have little else to look forward to. 

This article will introduce you to this non-profit organization and the services it provides for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Learn about the history of The Make-A-Wish Foundation, its mission and programs, where you can get involved as a volunteer or employee and how you can support this worthy cause.

What Is The Make-A-Wish Foundation?

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Since its founding in 1980 by two parents whose child had died from a terminal illness, the foundation has served millions of children in the United States and 17 other countries. One of the best-known charities in the United States, it has granted more than 348,000 wishes in the United States alone as of 2018. In order to qualify for a wish, a child must be between the ages of 2 and 18 years old, have a life-threatening medical condition that can be diagnosed by a doctor and be able to express the wish to the foundation’s representatives. A doctor may rule out some children for the organization’s services based on medical conditions. The Make-A-Wish Foundation follows certain guidelines to determine which children are most in need of a wish.

History of Make-A-Wish

The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 by a couple from Phoenix, Arizona, named Sam and Norma Wishes. Their son, who was diagnosed with leukemia, was near death when a nurse suggested he should make a wish. He wished to go to the Arizona State University football game and sit in the team’s VIP box. His wish came true and it strengthened the child’s will to live, boosting his health and helping him to recover. After this experience, the Wishes started thinking how they could help other children to experience similar joy. They discussed their idea with a friend who was a lawyer. After hearing their idea, the friend said: “You don’t want to wish for a doll. You want to make a wish come true.” This phrase became the name of the organization. All around the world there are children in dire need of hope. Make-A-Wish aims to return the hope they lost.