Helping Children with Make-A-Wish

No matter how happy your childhood may have been, you may still remember even happier times and smile. Even if your own childhood was not perfect, most of us can still recall happier times and smile. While childhood may have its benefits, it also has its downsides. In addition to everything else that happens, children also go through massive physical and mental changes. Because of the many changes that occur simultaneously, transitioning from preschooler to teenager is not easy. Fortunately, children who have experienced difficult situations receive a little extra support from charitable organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Help for Children

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Since its founding in 1980 by two parents whose child died from an incurable disease, the foundation has helped millions of children in the United States and 17 other countries. In 2018, the Make-A-Wish Foundation alone granted over 348,000 wishes in the United States. Children who have life-threatening medical problems that can be diagnosed by a doctor and can express their wishes to Make-A-Wish representatives are eligible for a wish. The Make-A-Wish Foundation selects the children who have a wish based on certain medical guidelines. Doctors may reject some children if the child is suffering from a disease.

History

Sam and Norma Wishes founded the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 1980 to fulfill the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses. A child with leukemia wished to sit in the VIP box at an Arizona State University football game because a nurse suggested it, and his health improved afterwards. After this incident, the Wishes tried to help other children who experienced a similar joy. Since their friend was a lawyer, he agreed that it would be better if the Wishes were able to make a wish come true. After hearing their idea, the friend said, “You don’t want a doll, you want your dream to come true.” This phrase became the name of Make-A-Wish.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation, founded in 1980 by a couple whose son died from an incurable disease, is the largest nonprofit wish-granting organization in the world. Since its inception, it has helped millions of children in the United States and 17 other countries. In 2018, the foundation alone granted 348,000 wishes in the United States. Doctors must diagnose a child’s life-threatening illness, and the child must be able to communicate it to the foundation’s representatives to qualify for a wish. The Make-A-Wish Foundation may reject some children due to medical issues. The organization must adhere to certain standards to select the children who need a wish the most. The Make-A-Wish Foundation’s website explains how the donation process works.