Why do we grant wishes?

Research shows, and doctors agree, that a wish can help improve a child’s quality of life and serve as a catalyst to better health. When a wish is granted, a child replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with hope.

HOW A WISH COMES TO LIFE

The Wish Journey

1. Wish Capture

A Make-A-Wish social worker connects with each medically eligible child to capture their one-true-wish, getting to the heart of what the kids truly want and why. This profound insight is part of what makes Make-A-Wish unique, giving the team the opportunity to creatively shape the entire Wish Journey.

2. Wish Design

Back at Make-A-Wish HQ, we partner with families, volunteers, and medical teams to design the ultimate wish experience – and start rallying our partners and supporters to help make it happen.

3. Wish Anticipation

In the lead up to the wish, we take each child on a journey designed to build excitement and provide a welcome distraction from medical treatment. Anticipation can be incredibly powerful, helping to calm, distract and inspire sick kids at a time they need it most.

4. Wish Realization

The moment when the child finally gets to experience their wish come true – we make sure that it’s everything they’ve imagined and more!

5. Wish Effect

Wish impact studies show that a child’s wish lives on, long after the moment. Our team continues to connect with the Wish families to monitor the impact of their wish-come-true.