It all started with a single wish…
Make-A-Wish traces its inspiration to Christopher James Greicius, an energetic 7-year-old boy battling leukemia who wishes to be a police officer. In 1980, his Phoenix community came together to make his wish come true. Little did Chris know that his wish would create a movement that would transform millions of lives.
Today, the Make-A-Wish has been granting life-changing wishes for children and families for over 40 years. After the start of Make-A-Wish in 1980 in the United States, Make-A-Wish International was officially formed in 1993 to serve five countries outside the U.S. – and now helps to serve children outside the United States in nearly 50 countries on 5 continents through its 39 Affiliates.
With the help of our donors and more than 43,000 volunteers around the world, Make-A-Wish has collectively granted more than 520,000 wishes worldwide.
Get involved & help bring a wish to life
Donate to Make a Wish
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When a wish comes true, it creates strength, hope and transformation in a child – and a community.
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Your impact
When children are battling a critical illness, so much of normal childhood is taken away from them — it is exhausting, both emotionally and physically. A wish is something that gives children the opportunity to look outside their illness — it restores a sense of childhood back to the child and normalcy back to the family.
Research shows, and physicians agree, wishes can help improve a child’s quality of life and produce better health outcomes. Members of the Make-A-Wish Medical Advisory Committee share the life-changing impact wishes have — beyond just medicine — on their patients and their families.
520,000
MORE THAN 520,000 WISHES GRANTED WORLDWIDE SINCE 1980.
97%
MORE THAN 520,000 WISHES GRANTED WORLDWIDE SINCE 1980.
39
39 INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATES GRANT WISHES FOR CHILDREN IN NEARLY 50 COUNTRIES, ON 5 CONTINENTS.
Just a Few Facts
★ Wishes lead to increased joy and happiness for wish children, parents, and siblings.
★ Wish families described increased resilience and self-reliance during the wish journey.
★ Wishes create room for new hope, and motivation to achieve goals.
★ Wishes provide a welcome distraction from the child’s illness and treatment.
★ Wishes facilitate a sense of family togetherness and normalcy.
