Make-A-Wish Foundation

This Article Was Contributed by Lisa Ladowski

Walt Disney World, full of awe, overflowing with magic, and abundant in pixie dust; it has become a harbor for all who wish to escape the real world, if even just for a day. It invites visitors who consistently return, year after year. It sees visitors who come only once, because once was enough. And then it holds dear those visitors who come only once, not because it was enough but because it was the only visit they could manage in their way too abbreviated lifetime. For when they have wished upon their star they have chosen to make their memories with their loved ones in a place where they too can escape the real world. Surrounded by fluffy characters instead of doctors; Princesses instead of nurses; Lagoon Views instead of semi privates; glowing ice cubes instead of chemotherapy; and laughter instead of ouchies.

If you've been to Disney World only once you may have taken notice when the child in the baseball cap, without a single hair upon their head, sits on the edge of their wheelchair as you make your way to the nearest attraction. They're on their way too, it may take a bit longer, but they'll catch up. They are surrounded by their parents whose grief most cannot even imagine, let alone bear. They're surrounded by their siblings who may soon lose one of their own. And surrounded by friends who feel blessed that such a child has touched their life and shown them what courage is truly all about. They are some of the few guests who don't complain because the sun is hot, but are thankful the sun has chosen to shine upon them. They don't complain the lines are too long, but are anxiously anticipating what the attraction will bring forth. They don't complain about the price of their soda, but are thankful they needn't take pills with this drink. These of course, are the children of Make-A-Wish.

Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation children with life-threatening illnesses are granted their dream of a lifetime. Very often these children choose a trip to Disney World as their memory maker. To read more about what a wish to Disney would be like for a sick child Disney offers up stories of some of the children they have hosted.

The mission of Make-A-Wish is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Below we have some FAQ's, which have been taken directly from the Make-A-Wish website. We hope that whether you are a giver, or a receiver, this page will help you to partake in the magic of the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Who can refer a child for a wish?
There are 3 groups of people who can refer a child for a wish, they include:

1. Medical professionals treating the child; such as doctors, nurses, social workers, or child-life specialists.
2. A parent or legal guardian of the potential wish child.
3. The potential wish child.

Who is eligible for a wish?
Any child under the age of 18 with a life-threatening medical condition may be eligible for a wish.

How are wishes granted?
After a child is referred to the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, the Foundation will contact the child's treating physician to determine if the child is medically eligible for a wish based on the medical criteria established by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. In addition, a child cannot have received a wish from another wish-granting organization.

After the doctor confirms that the child is medically eligible, the Make-A-Wish Foundation assigns a volunteer wish team to coordinate the wish-granting process. When the wish team first visits with a child the volunteers begin by asking a simple question: "If you could have one wish, what would it be?" Most wishes fall into one of four categories: (1) I want to go to..., (2) I want to be..., (3) I want to meet..., or (4) I want to have... Once a chapter approves the child's wish, the wish team sets out to make it come true.

After talking with the child, the Make-A-Wish Foundation wish granters set out to create a magical wish experience for the child that will last a lifetime. Every effort is made to include the immediate family in the child's wish. The wish experience often touches dozens, and sometimes hundreds of people who either help coordinate or are directly involved in the wish. The wish experiences created by the Make-A-Wish Foundation are made possible only through the support of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers around the world.

How can I refer a child for a wish?
Thru the online form at the "Make-A-Wish" website, you can refer a child for a wish.

What if I don't live in the United States, can I still refer a child for a wish?
Absolutely, you can visit the International site set up for children who live outside of the United States. Countries with international foundations include:

How can I contact the national office for the "Make-A-Wish" foundation?

     Make-A-Wish Foundation International
     3550 North Central Ave, Suite 300
     Phoenix, Arizona 85012-2127

     Phone: (602) 279-WISH (9474)
     FAX: (602) 241-0024

How can I volunteer my time, make a donation, or help on in another way, with the "Make-A-Wish" foundation?
Visit the Make-A-Wish website for details on volunteering, donating, and further information of the services offered by this organization.