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EnglishWhat Is Make-A-Wish and How Can You Help Grant Wishes?
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Make-A-Wish is a wish-granting organization that creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. You can get involved by donating, volunteering, or fundraising, and a child can be referred for a wish through the official Make-A-Wish organization. The information below reflects what Make-A-Wish America publishes about its mission and impact.
What Make-A-Wish Does
Make-A-Wish describes itself as the world's largest wish-granting mission, with more than 650,000 wishes granted worldwide. The core idea is simple: a child with a critical illness gets to wish for something meaningful to them, and the organization works to make it happen.
Wishes vary widely. The published examples include a 5-year-old named David who wished for a playhouse and a wish alum named Danielle who wished to build a well in Africa, granted in 2019. That range shows wishes aren't limited to a single category—they reflect what matters to the individual child.
Who Is Eligible and How Referral Works
Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. The organization's published materials focus on the child and family experience, and referrals are handled through the official Make-A-Wish site rather than through this article.
If you're looking into a wish for a child, the practical path is:
- Go to the official Make-A-Wish site (wish.org).
- Find the referral section for the relevant chapter or region.
- Follow the current referral process and eligibility guidance published there.
Because eligibility rules and referral steps can change, treat the official site as the source of truth rather than any secondhand summary.
The Impact of a Wish
Make-A-Wish publishes several data points on how wishes affect children and families:
| Measure | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Wishes granted worldwide | 650,000+ |
| Doctors who say wishes help relieve a family from traumatic stress | 99% |
| Alumni who say their wish was a turning point in their treatment | 87% |
| Wishes granted in a recent week (example) | 302 |
The organization also quotes James B. Fahner, MD, FAAP: "...there are pieces missing that can only be filled by the impact of a wish experience." These figures come from Make-A-Wish's own published materials and describe the organization's stated view of wish impact.
Ways to Help Grant Wishes
Make-A-Wish points to several ways to support the mission:
- Donate. The site states that gifts grant wishes and that 302 wishes were granted in a recent week because of donors.
- Volunteer. Wish-granting work depends on people who help carry it out.
- Fundraise. Individuals and groups can raise money to fund wishes.
- Recognize wish alumni. The Starblazer Awards honor wish alumni making a positive impact, with annual honorees and award founders.
The organization frames the ask directly: "Help grant more wishes and bring hope to children who need it most."
Where to Go Next
For referrals, donations, and current program details, use the official Make-A-Wish site at wish.org. That's where the organization publishes its referral process, giving options, and the latest information on its mission and impact.